Celebrating Height: The Tall Tour Phenomenon

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At a Seattle sports bar, hundreds of tall individuals recently found a rare chance to blend in effortlessly. Women in high heels craned their necks to glimpse someone taller, and men typically ducking under door frames appeared ordinary. None had to explain why they didn’t play basketball.

Welcome to the Tall Tour, a traveling meetup celebrating height. Since its inception last summer, this tour has visited 19 cities, growing from 30 participants in Tampa, Florida, to 4,000 in Orlando. Organizers report Seattle attracted about 750 attendees.

Tyler Bergantino, the 6-foot-9 founder who wears a size-16 shoe, shared, “You’re surrounded by those your height or taller, which can be healing for tall people.” Initially an accident, Bergantino’s idea for the event took off after he posted a social media invitation while in Texas.

The format of each tour stop includes gathering tall individuals, taking photos, and exchanging stories, often about hitting heads on door frames and airplane travel challenges. For many women, a highlight is speed dating, where they hope to meet someone open to dating a taller partner. They connect over the shared hurdle of a dating culture favoring petite women.

Zoe Raabe ducks as she passes through a doorway during a Tall Tour event in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Ksenia Protasenko, a 6-foot-tall 25-year-old, said, “Dating as a tall woman feels intimidating to others. People think you’re warrior-like, but that’s not true.” Asked if she plays basketball, she quips about mini-golf in reply.

Crowning the royalty of the tall, Carter Blab and Weston Borghesi stand back-to-back at a Tall Tour event. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Highlighting each event, organizers crown the tallest participants. In Seattle, a mother-son duo claimed the titles. Susan Mullendore, 44 and 6-foot-5, stood with her 7-foot-tall son Grayson at the pinnacle of the celebration.

Grayson noted the unusual feeling of normalcy. Typically the subject of unwanted attention, he found comfort among peers at the event. “It was insane to feel small for once,” he remarked, acknowledging the presence of the tour’s 7-foot-3 and 7-foot-4 co-hosts, the Tall Boys.

Seven-foot tall Weston Borghesi celebrates winning the Tall King award. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

This camaraderie extends beyond shoe size, as attendees share experiences of social hyper-vigilance and the struggle to fit in places designed for the average height.

Bergantino explained that tall people often feel out of place, noting he reached his towering height at 16. Yet, Tall Tour offers a rare sense of belonging. “It heals a portion of your inner child,” he said, as attendees embrace the gathering.

Celina Vilcinskas raises her arms to celebrate being the tallest woman at 6 feet, 8 inches during a Tall Tour event. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Susan reflected on the challenge of merely wishing to pass unnoticed. Many tall people face logistical issues like sourcing clothing and beds that fit. Susan orders size-14 shoes from a UK brand, and Grayson customized his dorm bed.

Once a simple meetup, Tall Tour has evolved into a significant venture. Bergantino, who left his sales job, now operates it full-time with a dedicated team. The tour has garnered celebrity attention and plans future endeavors like speed dating expansion, a height-inclusive fashion show, and international spinoffs. Advocacy for exit row seating and better clothing options are also part of future goals.

“The joy comes when the Tall Queen is crowned, and everyone celebrates,” Bergantino said. “That moment gets me every time.”