What’s the big deal about large roadside attractions? There’s a lot to love

As summer road trip season kicks off on the May long weekend, tourists are expected to flock to Mundare, Alberta to catch a glimpse of a massive Ukrainian kielbasa. The 42-foot-tall sausage monument, erected in 2001, stands as a testament to the Stawnichy family’s legacy in the sausage-making business.

Kyler Zeleny, the fourth-generation sausage-maker and assistant manager at Stawnichy’s Mundare Sausage, proudly showcases the family’s meat processing plant where they produce over 80 different products distributed to more than 300 stores. The giant kielbasa has become a symbol of the town’s heritage and has helped drive visitors to the area, boosting the local economy.

Alberta is home to numerous claims of the world’s largest things, with roadside attractions scattered across the province. From giant food items to animals and everyday objects blown up to monumental proportions, these attractions have become a staple of North American road trips. Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records, notes the thrill of stumbling upon these quirky landmarks while on the road.

One recent addition to Canada’s collection of super-sized spectacles is the world’s largest dream catcher, located at Rama First Nation near Orillia, Ontario. Built by 61-year-old Bob Williams, the dream catcher spans 42 feet in diameter and weighs nearly 2,000 pounds. Crafted using traditional materials like rope and sinew, the massive structure required a team of 300 people to hoist it into place.

For Darryl Lem, a retiree and motorcycle enthusiast who has traveled the highways in search of giant landmarks, visiting these roadside attractions has become a bucket list experience. From the Happy Rock in Manitoba to the Wawa Goose in Ontario, Lem has seen it all. He views these larger-than-life sculptures as a fun way to break up long stretches of highway and add a sense of adventure to his travels.

As summer approaches, the allure of these colossal creations continues to draw in travelers from near and far, eager to capture a piece of Canada’s quirky roadside charm. Whether it’s a giant kielbasa in Mundare or a massive dream catcher in Rama, these larger-than-life landmarks offer a unique glimpse into the country’s diverse cultural landscape.