January 30, 2015 at 3:52 p.m.
Rhinelander native dreams up new take on cheesehead hats
Rhinelander native dreams up new take on cheesehead hats
Rhinelander native and Packers fan Jason Spafford, who now calls Minneapolis home, has designed a new hat that shows Wisconsin pride and doubles as a handy beverage holder.
While the classic cheesehead resembles a block of cheddar, Spafford's creation takes the shape of a stick of string cheese, complete with fraying top. On top of the hat, there are two spots for beverages. There's even a slot on the side of the hat that can hold a flask.
While he's in the beginning stages of production, Spafford, 50, came up with the idea decades ago.
"It's hard to remember the inspiration for the hat," Spafford said. "I came across a document where I was in the process of filing for a copyright on it 22 years ago. I've always been a Packers fan and a fan of humor. I remember when I first saw the cheeseheads around that time. I thought it was pretty clever. I usually look at things, then go another direction. That's probably what happened 22 years ago and it seemed funny."
When his schedule opened this fall, Spafford decided it was finally time to make the string cheese hat a reality.
"I had just finished a long-term project in November and not sure what I would be working on next," he said. "That just dovetailed with the excitement of the Pack being playoff contenders. I had time on my hands to think about the Packers and all things Packers. I just thought it was time to put it out there and see what happens."
After Green Bay's playoff loss in Seattle, Spafford said he nearly abandoned the project altogether, but decided it could offer a boost to his fellow fans.
"After the NFC Championship I was sick, like many people I know," he said. "I really thought about scrapping the idea for the time being. But I decided to move forward. It's what has to be done. We've got a young team in the Packers. Next year they go back into battle and the fans will be right there in battle with another cheese hat in our arsenal."
To help fund production of the hats, Spafford has turned to Kickstarter, an online crowd-funding site, and he's hoping Packers fans will contribute. While the fundraising is just beginning, Spafford said he's heard good things about the design so far.
"Over the years, whenever I mentioned the string cheese hat the reception has been great," he said. "It's very early in the project to tell where it will go regarding sales of the hats. The big challenge with products like these is many times it's an impulse purchase at an event or on the way to a game. I'm not advocating drinking three beers, then going to the site, but it could be an option."
There are several incentives for people to contribute to the Kickstarter campaign. There are different monetary levels. Each increasing level earns the contributor a more significant prize.
"I chose Kickstarter because this crowd-funding service is probably the most popular one," Spafford said. "I funded a small book publication using it back in 2012, so I'm familiar with how it works. I added a lot of other rewards like a customized 8-ounce flask with the tagline 'Wisconsin Warming Solution.' There is also a blaze orange hoodie that connects football and hunting season, a commemorative Acme Packers deck of playing cards, and a week-long cabin stay for six in a cabin on the Chippewa River."
Although Spafford is in the very early stages of the project, he's excited about the hat's future. While he's keeping his expectations relatively tapered, he's enjoying the enthusiastic reaction the hat has received.
"Regarding the future of the hat, right now my sales goals are very modest," he said. "I'd like to sell enough to make the project a success, then I'll access sales channels. It's been a lot of fun bringing it this far and I'll have a prototype in hand shortly. If I can raise enough money through the project, I can take it to the manufacturing stage and bring the cost of product down and in line with the current cheese hat market. The unique thing about the string cheese hat is that it can hold two cans and a flask. These can be soda or beer and a flask or a deck of cards. There's really something for everyone."
To learn more about the hat, search "string cheese hat" on Kickstarter.com
Andy Hildebrand may be reached at [email protected].
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