Meaty Milestone; Spam Museum greets its 100,000th visitor to new location

Published 10:51 am Monday, December 5, 2016

: Bonnie Johnson, the 100,000th guest to visit the Spam Museum enters the new new Main Street location on Friday. Photo provided

Bonnie Johnson found more than she was expecting when she visited the Spam Museum Friday.

The Austin resident entered the facility to find blue and yellow balloons, Spam mascot Sir Can-A-Lot and many people greeting her.

That’s because she was the 100,000th visitor to the new museum at 101 Third Ave. NE.

“I haven’t been here before, so it’s extra special,” Johnson said in a press release.

The Spam Museum opened in downtown Austin on April 22. This new location allowed the attraction to bring people into the downtown area and experience all that Austin has to offer.

Bonnie Johnson, the 100,000th guest at the new Spam Museum, poses with Sir Can-A-Lot and a check for a donation of Spam to the local Salvation Army in Austin. Photo provided

In conjunction with the 125th anniversary of Hormel Foods, the museum set a goal of attracting 125,000 visitors to the new location during its first 12 months.

“We couldn’t be happier with these results,” said Nicole Behne, brand director at Hormel Foods. “It’s a testament to just how much people really, really love Spam!”

With this milestone of guest 100,000 attending the museum, the goal is within reach before April 22, 2017.

“The first year of our new Spam Museum has been incredible as people from all over the world have come to see the exhibits and learn about our iconic Spam family of products,” said Spam Museum manager Savile Lord in the release.

In recognition of Johnson being the 100,000th guest, Hormel Foods and the Spam brand are donating 200 cans of Spam to the local Salvation Army to help with the organization’s hunger relief efforts. Additionally, Johnson received a gift basket including all 15 varieties of the Spam family of products and other Spam merchandise and gifts.