Kool-Aid Man Challenge
Fence plowing, also known as fence popping, is an internet trend and viral prank whereby people, typically teenagers, will run full-speed into a wood or vinyl fence with the goal of busting through the slats.[1] It was later rebranded as the Kool-Aid Man Challenge following a resurgence on TikTok.
Background and original trend
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 Fence Plowing (Original upload dated June 9, 2006) |
The internet trend first began in 2006 when Adam Schleichkorn posted a video to YouTube of his friend and his cousin running through an intact wooden fence panel. Schleichkorn explained that the fence featured in the video was damaged after a hurricane, and was slated to be torn down anyway. He did not intend to endorse vandalism. Originally titled "Guy Runs Through a Fence", it was changed to simply "Fence Plowing".[2]
By January of 2007, people had begun copying the video, which eventually led to the arrest of five children in Deer Park, New York for vandalism.[2] Ten additional instances were investigated by Deer Park police around the same time,[3] and it became a growing concern for home-owners on Long Island.[4]
The video had garnered over 70,000 views by February, and Schleichkorn was invited to talk about the fad on Fox News and with Maury Povich.[5] The video sparked a larger conversation on teen debauchery, especially in the context of posting videos of otherwise extreme acts to gain popularity and attention.[6] Schleichkorn himself was a critic of the vandalism, and was outspoken on several more news outlets and talk shows. He later wrote about his experiences for a term paper in gradate school.[7]
Fence plowing continued in New City, New York as late as 2009.[8] The trend saw middling usage into the mid-2010s, as reported in areas such as Salt Lake City.[9]
Resurgence
[edit]Fence plowing was repopularized on TikTok in 2021, where it became known as the Kool-Aid Man Challenge.[10] It was so named after the modus operandi of the Kool-Aid Man, a mascot known for smashing through walls and fences to provide beverages to children.[11]
The trend saw a resurgence nationwide in the United States, and cities such as Caldwell, Idaho and Omaha, Nebraska reported up to 15 instances each by November. Each case cost homeowners up to a couple thousand dollars in repairs.[10] In 2023, further damages and arrests were made in Long Island,[12] St. John, Indiana,[13] and Raynham, Massachusetts.[14]
In 2025, fences were damaged in Twin Falls, Idaho[9] and several more incidents were reported in Calera, Alabama[15] and New York City.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ Kilgannon, Corey (3 February 2007). "Teenagers Run Straight Into Fences, and Trouble". New York Times. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Fame Could Be a Few Clicks Away". ABC News. 1 March 2007. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ "5 New York Teens Arrested for Plowing Themselves Through Fences". Associated Press. Fox News. 2 February 2007. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ "Teen Caught On Camera "Fence Plowing"". wfmynews2.com. 27 March 2007. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ "Teens misbehaving, for all online to watch". CNET. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ Kilgannon, Corey (13 February 2007). "Teenagers Misbehaving, for All Online to Watch". New York Times. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ Goodstein, Anastasia (8 March 2007). "'Fence Plowing': The Term Paper". Ypulse. Archived from the original on 20 March 2007. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ Lieberman, Steve (21 February 2009). "'Fence plowing' comes at other's expense". The Journal News. p. 1. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ a b Goodell, Eric (10 January 2025). "'Kool-Aid Man Challenge' participants damage Magic Valley fences". The Times-News. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ a b Mitchell, Alex (23 November 2021). "'Kool-Aid Man' TikTok stunt has bozos busting through fences". Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ Cristantiello, Ross (20 October 2023). "Watch your fences: 'Kool-Aid Man Challenge' hits Raynham". Boston.com. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ Cheng, Pei-Sze; Millman, Jennifer (22 February 2023). "'Kool-Aid Man' Challenge Hits Long Island Fences as Part of Supposed TikTok Trend". NBC New York. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ "'Kool-Aid Man Challenge' leads to arrest of 4 juveniles in northwest Indiana". FOX 32 Chicago. 16 October 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ Sullivan, Mike (20 October 2023). ""Kool-Aid Man Challenge": Video shows people running through backyard fence in Raynham - CBS Boston". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ Oselen, Bryce (9 July 2025). ""Somebody's going to get shot": Calera Police warns of new TikTok trend". WVTM. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ Jose, Chris (16 April 2025). "'Kool-Aid Man Challenge' hits NYC homes, leaving pricey repair bills". NBC New York. Retrieved 9 August 2025.