Sweeny retains Battle on the Bernard title

Battle on the Bernard
Wayman Hutchings and the rest of the Battle on the Bernard Committee team try to win a tug of war against West Columbia Mayor Laurie Kincannon’s team on Saturday.

By John Tompkins
The Facts

Published March 28, 2010

JONES CREEK — Firefighters, police officers and volunteers grunted and strained as they tugged a rope amid rhythmic chants of “pull” from crowds Saturday during the Battle on the Bernard over the San Bernard River.

“I hope they brought their wetsuits,” said Sweeny Mayor Ken Lott. “We’re going to pull them into the river.”

Lott’s team retained the crown in the second Battle on the Bernard as a last-second effort was too much for Brazoria Mayor Ken Corley’s team. The Brazoria team won the right to face Sweeny after defeating West Columbia Mayor Laurie Kincannon’s team earlier in the day.

Several teams of adults and children competed at the event, which took place under the FM 2611 bridge. Hundreds attended the event, including food vendors and craft booths.

Teams had two minutes to pull on a rope spanning 900 feet across the river. The winner among the mayors’ teams gets “Bob,” a pelican-shaped trophy.

The event was created to bring together communities west of the Brazos River — including Sweeny, Brazoria and West Columbia — said Pat Webb, chairman of Battle on the Bernard committee.

Organizers hope to bring in other communities next year, such as Jones Creek and Damon.

Brazoria resident Michael Wier came to the event for the first time with his wife, Susan, and marveled at the many communities represented.

“It’s pulling everybody together,” he said.

Corley tried to win the coveted pelican trophy Saturday after he and Kincannon tried to “steal” the trophy from Sweeny earlier in the week.

“The bird is coming to Brazoria,” Corley said emphatically after his team beat West Columbia. “I’m so proud of my team.”

After the Sweeny win, Lott taunted Corley over a public address system.

“Try to come to Sweeny and take it again!” he said. “You bird thief!”

Effects of the competition are gruesome, Kincannon said, pointing to her toes. She pulled in last year’s event, and it caused her to lose a toenail. The nail is just starting to grow back, she said.

“It saved me a fortune on pedicures this year though,” she said.

The Battle on the Bernard committee also had a team Saturday.

First in line on the rope was Wayman Hutchings, who donned pink stretch pants, a gold-sequined cap and pink high heels for the competition.

“They said no cleats or spikes,” he said. “They didn’t say anything about heels. So here I am. I’m digging them in, and I’m not moving.”

The strategy didn’t pay off. The committee lost to West Columbia’s team in a consolation tug of war.

John Tompkins is senior reporter for The Facts. Contact him at 979-849-8581.