Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Sunday, July 20, 2008
Plenty to crow about at La Crosse Interstate Fair
 Team Redneck Express Amanda,and Nathan Langrehr copmpete in the piggyback race during the Super Farmer Olympics at the LaCrosse Interstate Fair in West Salem,Wi. The couple is from Bangor,Wi.Dick Riniker photo |
WEST SALEM, Wis. — Virgil might not be much to look at, but this rooster can crow.
The somewhat scrawny Bearded Belgium D’Anver rattled off 28 crows in 20 minutes to sweep first place Saturday at the annual rooster crowing competition at the 118th annual La Crosse Interstate Fair.
Virgil’s crowing brought his owner, Candace Anderson, a cash prize and an impressive first place trophy.
Anderson, 16, of Melrose, Wis., took the win in stride, or maybe it was shock — in previous years in the competition, her normally noisy birds became embarrassingly silent.
During the 20-minute competition, the young competitors did all they could to get their birds to make some noise.
Some, like second-place Sam Wetzel, gently coaxed his bird to crow, while other owners let out their own crows, hoping their roosters would follow suit.
Anderson, however, used a different tactic.
“I didn’t do much with him,” Anderson said. “I just sat back and let him do his own thing.”
Halfway through the competition, Virgil and another bird were tied at 16 crows as others started to close the gap. But as Virgil kept crowing, the other bird failed to keep pace.
The annual rooster competition took place as other county youths showed showed their sheep, rabbits, horses, pigs and other animals.
Also Saturday, area couples battled it out in the Super Farmer Olympics.
Fourteen teams competed in a variety of farm-related events including tossing bales of hay, driving fence posts in the ground and shoveling corn. And there was the wife carry — where (the man carries the woman) and the wheel barrow race (they take turns carrying each other).
Nathan and Amanda Langrehr outscored Tyson Langrehr and Krista Frederick for the top spot. All are from Bangor, Wis.
The La Crosse Interstate Fair continues today until 6 p.m. when exhibits are released.
Fairest of the Fair, Kayla Wegner of Bangor said one of today’s highlights will be the draft horse hitch and driving event, which starts at noon.
Parking is free, and there is no admission fee.
Dan Springer can be reached at dspringer@lacrossetribune.com or (608) 796-0432.
Today’s schedule
8 a.m. — Horse Trail classes, Horse Arena
8:30 a.m. — Draft horse halter classes, Farm Progress Building
10 a.m. — Beginner and miscellaneous horse classes, Horse Arena
Noon — Draft horse hitch classes, next to Farm Progress Building; 4-H archery tournament, Farm Progress Building
6 p.m. — Exhibits released
8 p.m. — Buildings close
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