When one thinks of a team of oxen, pulling power is often what first comes to mind. While there is no question that these animals are exceptionally strong, a popular event at the Cummington Fair has been showcasing the oxen’s intelligence and ability to respond to voice commands.
This year, the Oxen Challenge at the Cummington Fair is celebrating 25 years of teamster competition, education and the importance of treating working animals with care and respect.
“Our show is about kindness for animals. These teams are not being pounded on or hurt in any way,” said Nan Clark, 90, of Chesterfield, whose late husband Merwin (Mernie) Clark created the competition in 1994.
Clark said Merwin Clark had trained oxen since he was a child. He had participated in oxen pulls but was at times disillusioned and concerned with some of the heavy-handed physical coercion he saw at the events.
“That is why he designed the challenge course, because he felt that oxen were very smart and that they could learn and work for you without the need for any kind of abuse,” she said. “The challenge is not about exhibiting power and brute strength; it’s about working together.”
In this event, teamsters are timed as they try to negotiate their way around cones, buckets of water and tennis balls balanced atop posts without knocking anything over.
Clark said that the judges look for all-around good teamster skills, so the fastest time may not always be the winning team.
“It has to be done with mostly voice commands, and it is not just about being fast,” Clark said. “If something breaks or goes wrong, we also look at how people react, if they get angry and stomp around or if they act like ladies and gentlemen and remain calm and kind with their animals.”
According to Clark the event usually draws between 10 to 15 teams and it is very popular with fairgoers.
“People really love it, because it is fun to watch and it is an educational show as we always explain all about oxen,” she said.
Open to all teamsters, Clark always encourages women to participate.
“I think that it is important for people to know that there is no age limit and that we really encourage lady teamsters to come,” she said. “One year, a woman with two teams won both first and second place, and that was the first and only time anyone had done that.”
Clark has been the supervisor and announcer of the event since its inception and will be announcing once again this year.
“I never knew oxen before I met Mernie, but they are wonderful animals and they are now near and dear to my heart,” Clark said.
The Oxen Challenge will take place on Saturday, Aug. 24, at 1 p.m. right after the ox parade. The competition typically continues until around 6 p.m.
PLAINFIELD — On Sunday, Sept. 1, the Plainfield Firefighters will hold their 49th annual barbeque from 1 to 3 p.m. behind the Shaw Memorial Library on Main Street.
Known as the biggest party of the year, the barbeque includes a traditional menu of half a barbecued chicken, locally grown baked potato and corn on the cob, homemade coleslaw, watermelon and a beverage.
The event will also feature live music and the annual firefighters silent auction.
Tickets go quickly and can be purchased before the event by contacting the Plainfield Fire Department or any Plainfield firefighter or EMT.
Admission for adults is $12 and $6 for children under 12.
For more information, contact Dave Alvord at 634-5470, dalvord@gazettenet.com or Ellen Dupont at 634-5343, edupont60@yahoo.com.
WILLIAMSBURG — The Williamsburg Open Space Committee is updating the town’s Open Space and Recreation Plan in order to qualify for open space grant funding from the state. As part of that effort, the committee has created a survey and is encouraging Williamsburg residents to participate.
The survey can be found on the town’s website at www.burgy.org under “Town News”
Ideas for this column on life in the hilltowns can be sent to Fran Ryan at Fryan.gazette@gmail.com.