Bubble-blowing Griffith boy has shot at $10,000

SCHERERVILLE, Ind. -- A 10-year-old Griffith boy didn't blow his shot at the big time.\nKyle Demaree blew a 10 1/2-inch bubble at a local contest that could land him a spot in the Dubble Bubble National Bubble Blowing Contest.\nHe walked away with a trophy and backpack for beating out about 100 other children in the local contest Saturday.\nThe top five bubble-blowers from local competitions nationwide will compete in the national finals in August for the grand prize of a $10,000 savings bond and a $1,000 donation on the winner's behalf to the Children's Miracle Network. Four runners-up will receive a $5,000 U.S. Savings Bond and $1,000 donations made in their name.\nThe local contest participants used different bubble-blowing techniques. Some said it was key to chewing the gum for a long time to break down the sugar. Others said three pieces of gum worked better than one or two.\n"I blew it slow," said 11-year-old Tanner Barham, of Griffith, whose biggest bubble was 9 1/2 inches.