Group to host second Battle on the Bernard

http://thefacts.com/story.lasso?ewcd=22af4ccad01dd4bb

Published January 24, 2010

The Battle On the Bernard, a friendly tug-of-war competition sponsored by the West of the Brazos Communities, is getting geared up for its second “tug” on the San Bernard River at the FM 2611 bridge on March 27. The event offers fun and food for the entire family. Battle On the Bernard’s mascot, B.O.B. the Pelican, invites everyone to take their spring break investigating the only tug-of-war over a river in the state of Texas.

The battle is planned to generate friendly competition between communities and create an atmosphere where West of the Brazos community organizers can all pull together, pool their talents and work toward common goals.

Any organization (school bands, football teams, cheerleaders, volunteer fire departments, police departments, service organizations, any 501c3 organization or just a group of friends) is invited to join the “tug” with a team of a maximum of 20 people (only 12 people will be allowed to pull on the 2 minute tug). Rules and entry forms can be found at www.battleonthebernard.com. This year, the battle will be limited to the first 16 teams (and the West of the Brazos Mayors’ Challenge) who enter. It’s free to register.

At Battle On the Bernard’s Inaugural “tug” on Aug. 22, an estimated 600 people lined the shores of the San Bernard River to watch teams stretch a rope over the river. Sweeny won the Mayors’ team challenge, and The Dudes of Churchill won first place in the overall challenge. But 2010 holds a new challenge. B.O.B. the pelican says he has heard that Loose Cannons has vowed to take home the trophy this year, and the mayors’ teams are “buffing up” for a rematch.

The battle also offers a chance for local nonprofit organizations to make a little money by manning food and beverage booths at the event. Limited space is available, contact the Sweeny, West Columbia or Brazoria chambers of commerce to apply.

Battle On the Bernard T-shirts are available for sale at Precinct 4 County Commissioner’s office in Brazoria, or at the Brazoria, Sweeny, or West Columbia chambers of commerce. They also will be available at the event. Visit the Web site, www.battleonthebernard.com to see the latest B.O.B. the Pelican sightings. He is on vacation and is slowly making his way back to the San Bernard in order to officiate the contest and award the winners of the second tug-of-war.

For rules, team applications, vendor applications and sponsorship forms, contact the Sweeny Chamber of Commerce at 979-548-3249, Pat Webb at 979-964-4503 or visit, www.battleonthebernard.com.