04:43Twiggy the water skiing squirrel - as seen in blockbuster movies like 'Anchorman' and 'Dodgeball' - was shown performing her world-famous routine at Pet Fest of the Sandhills in North Carolina’s Hope Mills Park on Saturday.
Handler and show host Chuck Best explained how the idea had first come to his dad in 1978.
"My dad bought a remote control boat for my sister, and he was playing with the boat when a friend of his came over to him and says, Chuck, you didn't buy that boat for your daughter, you bought it for yourself," he stated.
"My dad just joked back and was like, no, I'm learning to drive the boat to teach my pet squirrel how to water ski, put it in the newspaper, and it kind of went viral overnight. And here we are 45 years later," he added.
Footage shows the animal's various water-based tricks and stunts, along with her squirrel chums. Will Ferrell's 1970s newscaster 'Ron Burgundy' famously exclaimed: "How about that! That squirrel can water-ski!" when Twiggy featured in the 2004 comedy 'Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy'.
According to co-host Toni Tedesco, training a squirrel is similar to training a dog with the 'same words, commands, positive reinforcement'. However, the most important thing is earning the squirrel’s 'love and trust'.
"They have their own personality, so every squirrel skis different, so I think it's really unique," added Chuck. "Like everyone just loves squirrels, and to be able to come and meet Twiggy and interact with her."
"I came last year, and I enjoyed it," said Audrey Leake, while Ruth Torres said it was her first time and her children loved it.
It marks Twiggy's second visit to Pet Fest, on the festivals ninth anniversary.
That squirrel can water ski! Anchorman star 'Twiggy' and friends wow the crowds in North Carolina
Twiggy the water skiing squirrel - as seen in blockbuster movies like 'Anchorman' and 'Dodgeball' - was shown performing her world-famous routine at Pet Fest of the Sandhills in North Carolina’s Hope Mills Park on Saturday.
Handler and show host Chuck Best explained how the idea had first come to his dad in 1978.
"My dad bought a remote control boat for my sister, and he was playing with the boat when a friend of his came over to him and says, Chuck, you didn't buy that boat for your daughter, you bought it for yourself," he stated.
"My dad just joked back and was like, no, I'm learning to drive the boat to teach my pet squirrel how to water ski, put it in the newspaper, and it kind of went viral overnight. And here we are 45 years later," he added.
Footage shows the animal's various water-based tricks and stunts, along with her squirrel chums. Will Ferrell's 1970s newscaster 'Ron Burgundy' famously exclaimed: "How about that! That squirrel can water-ski!" when Twiggy featured in the 2004 comedy 'Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy'.
According to co-host Toni Tedesco, training a squirrel is similar to training a dog with the 'same words, commands, positive reinforcement'. However, the most important thing is earning the squirrel’s 'love and trust'.
"They have their own personality, so every squirrel skis different, so I think it's really unique," added Chuck. "Like everyone just loves squirrels, and to be able to come and meet Twiggy and interact with her."
"I came last year, and I enjoyed it," said Audrey Leake, while Ruth Torres said it was her first time and her children loved it.
It marks Twiggy's second visit to Pet Fest, on the festivals ninth anniversary.
Twiggy the water skiing squirrel - as seen in blockbuster movies like 'Anchorman' and 'Dodgeball' - was shown performing her world-famous routine at Pet Fest of the Sandhills in North Carolina’s Hope Mills Park on Saturday.
Handler and show host Chuck Best explained how the idea had first come to his dad in 1978.
"My dad bought a remote control boat for my sister, and he was playing with the boat when a friend of his came over to him and says, Chuck, you didn't buy that boat for your daughter, you bought it for yourself," he stated.
"My dad just joked back and was like, no, I'm learning to drive the boat to teach my pet squirrel how to water ski, put it in the newspaper, and it kind of went viral overnight. And here we are 45 years later," he added.
Footage shows the animal's various water-based tricks and stunts, along with her squirrel chums. Will Ferrell's 1970s newscaster 'Ron Burgundy' famously exclaimed: "How about that! That squirrel can water-ski!" when Twiggy featured in the 2004 comedy 'Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy'.
According to co-host Toni Tedesco, training a squirrel is similar to training a dog with the 'same words, commands, positive reinforcement'. However, the most important thing is earning the squirrel’s 'love and trust'.
"They have their own personality, so every squirrel skis different, so I think it's really unique," added Chuck. "Like everyone just loves squirrels, and to be able to come and meet Twiggy and interact with her."
"I came last year, and I enjoyed it," said Audrey Leake, while Ruth Torres said it was her first time and her children loved it.
It marks Twiggy's second visit to Pet Fest, on the festivals ninth anniversary.