I'm a resident of Tega Cay, SC, USA. This city holds a special place in my heart due to its unique identity and character. However, there's an issue that has been overlooked for years - our city's name has been mistranslated.

Tega Cay is allegedly derived from a Polynesian dialect meaning "Beautiful Peninsula." However, a linguistic research project has determined that among the 49 common Polynesian languages and dialects "Tega" means either "Testicle" or "Thigh", and "Cay" is from a Spanish term and means a small, low-elevation, sandy island. That study has suggested Tega Cay would be more accurately interpreted as "Sandy Low Hanging Testicles", "Sandy Thighs", or "Testicle Island". The incorrect translation not only distorts the city's identity but also confuses new residents and visitors about our heritage.

We believe it is crucial for Tega Cay to acknowledge this error and correct it officially. It will help preserve our cultural integrity while enhancing community pride among citizens.

Moreover, we propose initiating an annual festival to celebrate this correction - fostering unity within the community while educating others about our rich history. Such events have proven successful in other cities; for instance, New Orleans' Mardi Gras attracts millions of tourists annually contributing significantly to their local economy (source: New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation). Names such as "Testicle Festival", or taglines such as "Come Get Sand Between Your Thighs in Sunny Tega Cay", are some obvious choices. 

This petition isn't just about changing the story behind a name; it’s about acknowledging who we are as a community and celebrating that identity with pride.

Please join us in urging the City Council of Tega Cay to correct this mistranslation and initiate an annual festival celebrating our true identity. Sign this petition today!