Tug of war brings communities together

http://thefacts.com/story.lasso?ewcd=9a1dc32c8fdd8092

Published April 14, 2010

The second Battle On the Bernard, a friendly tug-of-war competition, was hosted March 27 at the FM 2611 bridge over the San Bernard River. Hundreds of spectators gathered on both sides of the Sportsman’s Span bridge to watch teams vie for bragging rights and coveted B.O.B. trophies.

To kick off the event, Teri Holder gave the prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag led by Gary Balderman, and the salute to the Texas flag led by Debbie Pennington.

Pct. 4 Commissioner Mary Ruth Rhodenbaugh was emcee for the day’s festivities. The event warmed up with the competition’s first Kid’s Tug.

The focus of the Community B.O.B. trophy was on the Dudes of Churchill and The Loose Cannons, last year’s first- and second-place winners, respectively. This year, though both teams struggled mightily, ended with the Loose Cannons coming out on top. The Dudes of Churchill had to settle for second place, and both teams said they would be back next year.

Competing for the Mayor’s B.O.B. trophy were the cities of Sweeny (Mayor Kenneth Lott), Brazoria (Mayor Ken Corley), and West Columbia (Mayor Laurie Kincannon). The competition between the cities for the right to display the trophy was intense, but Sweeny again took the win.

In accepting the trophy, Lott first summed up the spirit of the community event.

“Today, the cities pulled against each other in this competition, but the rest of the year, we will all pull together to make the West of the Brazos the jewel of Brazoria County,” he said.

For information, pictures and a list of event sponsors, visit battleonthebernard.com.