Written By Lisa Breslin
For 16 years folks have gathered on the field across the street from the Lineboro Volunteer Fire Department to wait, watch and coax a cow to drop a “pie” in a square that they hoped would bear their number so that ultimately, they could win the top prize of $1,000.
On June 23, hundreds gathered at the annual fundraiser–known as “Barnyard Bingo”– to enjoy pit beef, hot dogs and baked goods before they moved to the field where 1,353 squares had been painstakingly painted in a large grid, which was surrounded by a mesh fence.
Around 1 p.m., Farmer Ben Lucabaugh brought in the cow.
“Her name is Tiptoe,” Lucabaugh joked. “But if she doesn’t poop in an owner’s square, her name will be hamburger.”
One year the cow took a mere three minutes to do its business. Another year, the crowd waited for three hours. This year, Tiptoe delivered in approximately one hour – right after she burst through the temporary fence and was hauled back to the grid.
Her delivery landed on the square purchased by Linda Bowers of Keymar, who won $1,000. Four more $200 prizes and $50 prizes were awarded to folks who had purchased adjoining squares. Sixteen people won tickets to the volunteer fire company’s annual haunted hayride.
Proceeds from the fundraiser, which also included breakfast earlier in the day, a yard sale, lollipop pull, a 50/50 raffle and other small games of chance, should top between $5,000 and $6,000, said volunteer firefighter Megan High, who helped organize the event with her husband and fellow firefighter, Chris High.
“It’s a lot of fun to watch people watching the cow,” said Megan. “They wave fresh grass, they put feed in squares before the cow is let in, they holler for it. It is really great fun.”
Additional information about the Lineboro Volunteer Fire Department and its annual activities can be found at www.lineborovfd.com. – L.M.B.
