Metropolis, located in southern Illinois on Interstate 24 halfway between Nashville, Tennessee and St. Louis, Missouri, and 10 miles outside of Paducah, Kentucky, is the the self-proclaimed "Hometown of Superman," celebrating its local hero every possible way it can. The local bank is "home of super financial services." The town newspaper calls itself The Planet. It boasts a Super Museum stuffed with over 20,000 items relating to the 60+ year old Superman saga, from his first appearance in comic books to his latest indignity in "Lois and Clark" and other postmodern adaptations. The place is a dense assemblage of collectibles, movie props, superman products, and promotional materials. There are costumed mannequins, theater lobby cards, posters, and thousands of toys and plastic figures. It's organized around particular eras and portrayals of Superman, spanning TV, movies, and comics -- and is changed frequently, to encourage repeat visits.

Every June, Metropolis celebrates their Annual Superman Celebration with games, rides, and all sorts of fun! One of the best loved events is the costume contest which hundreds travel to enter. Most of the activities, centered around the statue of the big guy in Superman Square, reflect the simple traditions of small-town America. The time-honored events include a four-mile run through town, a thirty-mile bicycle tour of Massac County, an arm wrestling tournament, and an amateur theatrical production of a Superman drama. And, of course, the real Superman drops into sign autographs and kiss babies. Those visitors who can't make the celebration are certainly welcome throughout the rest of the year. Superman's phone booth awaits special callers, and the business district has no less than three comic book stores. For history buffs, the Curtis House Museum and the grave of the "Birdman of Alcatraz" are within walking distance of the statue.