What do oxen and chicken have in common? It sounds like the start of a
joke, but this pairing creates the perfect partnership for the popular
Pomfret Pull Competition and Chicken BBQ, an entertaining, lip-smackin’
event. “People come from all over the Upper Valley and beyond to see the
oxen pull, but some people come just for the chicken,” says Kevin Rice
of the Pomfret-Teago Volunteer Fire Department’s 30th annual fundraiser.
“It’s two events in one—we’ve got food under the tents and over at the
grandstand is the oxen pull. It’s a fun event. These animals see the
weight getting put on the sled and once they drop the hook and hear that
chain, they go. It’s close to a lost art and this keeps the old Vermont
tradition alive,” says Kevin, fire chief and 21-year member of the
department, and owner of Upper Valley Home Technologies.
The community event, which draws close to 600 people annually, takes
place August 4, rain or shine, from 10am to 4pm at the Saskadena Six Ski
Area. Admission is free; donations are welcomed to support the fire
department, a 21-member volunteer emergency response organization that
provides around-the-clock services to Pomfret and surrounding areas.
“We’re proud of our group who dedicate up to 260 hours of fire
training,” says Kevin. The event features a pony pull along with live
music, kids’ activities, and a farmers’ market.
A Long History
The event was established in 1994 by Terri and Steven Chamberlin,
Pomfret natives and owners of Ridgeline Farm. “I feel great that I can
give this to the community,” says Terri, event coordinator and 31-year
member of the fire department and former assistant chief. She grew up on
the Harvey Farm with ox pulling as part of her family history. “My dad
and my grandfather used oxen and steers for wood pulling and sugaring.
My grandfather, Guy Lamson, taught me about ox pulling and I’ve
continued with oxen agility competitions for the past 36 years,” she
says. Steve learned from his grandfather and competes in ox pulling.
Kevin explains that ox pulls have been in existence for over 100 years.
“When I grew up in Pomfret, there were quite a few farms around town
using oxen for farming. I remember my neighbor pulling—it goes back many
generations—and competitions started way back to get people together.
Today, most pulls are found at county fairs, but local people and
farmers have kept it alive here for 30 years,” he says.
Coming Together for a Good Time
The pull is a process of elimination where teams of two oxen pull a load
of concrete blocks a certain distance with weights continually added to
see which one carries the heaviest load. Ribbons and cash prizes are
awarded in four classes. Some competitors travel from as far as Maine.
“It’s a friendly competition, but sometimes cutthroat,” says Terri.
“People get excited when the team is pulling, cheering them on and
clapping. People pick a pair they want to win and some travel around to
competitions because they love it. It’s about getting together and
having a good time.”
While the pull is the main draw, the chicken is the prizewinner of the
day. Kevin, along with Alex Tsouknakis, owner of Woodstock Pizza Chef,
work together to slow-roast more than 100 whole chickens, slathered with
special seasoning, over two wood-fired rotisseries. “There’s nothing
like it. The meat has a smoky wood flavor and it falls off the bone,”
says Kevin. A complete chicken meal comes with buns homemade by Alice
Lamson, Terri’s mother; potato salad; corn; a beverage; and a brownie.
Also, hot dogs, Alice’s homemade old-fashioned donuts, and other
beverages are available for purchase. “The food is made by the fire
department members, their significant others, and their children. It
brings us as a department together to work as a family. We have a great
time,” says Terri, whose father, Neil Lamson, sister-in-law, Christina
Chamberlin, and her boyfriend, Jim Morgan, offer assistance along with
Todd and Lisa Burrell of Prosper Valley Services.
The Pomfret Pull is a day to remember. “Come and get a taste of old
Vermont and support your volunteer fire department, have some great
food, meet some great people, and watch some incredible teams of farmers
and oxen. It brings a lot of folks together and we get to talk about
the fire department. It’s an overall fantastic atmosphere for such a
worthy cause,” says Kevin. Terri adds, “It’s a fundraiser that helps the
local fire department get items we can’t get otherwise and it brings
the community together. Plus, Saksadena Six is a beautiful place—the
brook, the mountains. One day one of my friends and I walked up onto the
boardwalk and stood in awe looking at the event. It was breathtaking to
see the people, the animals, and everything going on during this
friendly, relaxed, enjoyable day.” For more information, visit
facebook.com/PTVFDVT.
Pomfret-Teago Volunteer Fire Department
