HOLLAND, Mich. — Some of the world's loudest mouths were shouting in Holland Friday for the International Town Crier Competition.
It was held during the Dutch Marktplaats event at the Holland Civic Center Place. This is the ninth time Holland has hosted the competition, said John Karsten, the current town crier who is retiring this year after four decades on the job.
Seven town criers competed in two rounds: the first about their own towns, the second a free cry.
John Webster, town crier from Markham, Ontario, took first place. One of the benefits of the job is one-on-one communication with people, Webster said.
"When I walk out here at Tulip Time, people come up and say, 'Oh, who are you?'" he said. "I tell them, and we can talk and interact back and forth and maybe that will help just a little bit with world peace."
Karsten was honored by the city of Holland and the Town Criers Guild for his years of dedicated service.
Holland has not yet chosen a replacement for Karsten, but may hold a town crier contest this summer.
You can find more information here.
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