Tall Tour Unites the Vertically Gifted

In Seattle, a unique event took place at a local sports bar on a recent Saturday night. Hundreds of tall individuals gathered as part of the Tall Tour, finally experiencing the novelty of blending in with a crowd.

The Tall Tour, a traveling meetup, draws tall people from across the United States. It began last summer and has grown significantly in popularity. The tour has visited 19 cities, expanding from just 30 attendees in Tampa, Florida, to over 4,000 in Orlando. The Seattle stop saw around 750 participants.

Tyler Bergantino, the founder of the tour, stands 6-foot-9 and wears a size-16 shoe. He noted that the experience is ‘healing’ for tall people. Bergantino, a former software salesman and now a TikTok creator, started the tour by inviting others on social media while in Texas. The response was unexpected and turned a simple idea into a significant movement.

Each event follows a similar format, with attendees gathering to take photos, share shopping tips, and exchange stories. For women, speed dating is a major highlight. It provides an opportunity to meet partners who are comfortable with taller women, whether they match or exceed their height.

Dating as a tall woman can feel intimidating, said Ksenia Protasenko, who is 6 feet tall. Often, people make assumptions based on height, rather than seeing the person.

One of the event’s key moments is crowning the tallest man and woman. At the Seattle event, a mother and her 7-foot-tall son received this recognition. For Grayson, a college freshman, the event allowed him to feel normal, unlike in everyday situations where strangers often comment or take photos without permission.

Participants like Bergantino share experiences of being socially hyper-vigilant due to their height. Many grew up feeling isolated, especially during puberty, but Tall Tour offers a sense of belonging. Bergantino mentioned that the event helps heal a part of the inner child for many attendees.

Susan Mullendore, a participant and mother to Grayson, shared the challenges faced daily by tall individuals, such as frequent attention in public spaces and difficulties in finding clothes and shoes that fit.

Tall Tour has also become a growing business. Bergantino left his sales job to focus on it full-time. Future plans include expanding speed dating, launching a height-inclusive fashion show, and potentially introducing new event locations like cruises or international destinations. The team aims to create an ecosystem to advocate for better conditions for tall individuals, including enhanced seating options and clothing choices.

Moments like crowning the Tall Queen and seeing the genuine joy in participants highlight the success of the Tall Tour. As the tour continues, Bergantino sees these moments as the reward for the hard work and their mission to build a supportive community for tall individuals.