INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — For the first time since the fair opened Friday, rain stayed away from the Indian River County Fairgrounds. The good weather beckoned thousands to come out for hours, taking in the rides and food and then watching the Whip-Cracking and Wing-Eating contests outside the 4-H pavilion.
A few hundred fairgoers gathered around the stage, staying behind the safety tape as contestant after contestant came forward spinning their whip high into the air and snapping it into a loud “crack!”
Master of Ceremonies Sam Adams explained to the uninitiated that these whips were not like the ones made famous from the Indiana Jones films – no, these are true Florida Cow Whips, used by cattle hands to keep the herd together.
The whips were also known as a tool for long-distance communication, Adams said, explaining that the sound of a whip’s crack could be heard for about a mile.
“They’d always get lost,” Adams said of the cowboys who set off to search for wayward cows. Cracking the whip would help others to find him.
This year’s Whip-Cracking Contest consisted of six divisions, ranging from Tots – those 9 and younger – to Seniors – those 19 and older.
Proceeds from the contest would be used to offset the cost of the 4-H barn and livestock insurance.
In an effort to save wear and tear on the whip-crackers’ bodies, organizers cut down the length of time they had to crack their whips. The time went from a solid minute to 35 seconds – but it was still more than enough for most of the contenders.
Many left the arena rolling their shoulder or rubbing their arm from the exertion.
Taking home first place trophies in the Tots and Junior Boys divisions were brothers Reid Bartosch, 9, and Gage Bartosch, 12, respectively. It was the third year in a row for Gage to take home a win.
“I win every time,” Gage said, grinning from ear to ear and clutching his trophy.
This is the first time trophies have been awarded – in the past, winners took home new whips.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Reid said of cracking the whip.
Their mom, Suzy Bartosch, explained that the boys became interested in whip-cracking when they watched family friends doing it. The boys wanted whips and they got them – and didn’t put them down.
“They would have blisters,” Bartosch said of the boys, who spent countless hours practicing their technique. “They would not stop cracking them.”
Another competition happening at the fair Monday night was the inaugural Hot Wing-Eating Contest. Several competitors put their taste buds and stomachs to the test, trying to eat a dozen super nova-hot wings in less than 30 minutes.
Brunicardi’s Deli & Sports Café in Sebastian hosted the challenge, opening it up to three categories of challengers – Adult males 18 and over, Adult females 18 and over, and Youth 17 and under.
Each competitor paid $5 to take on the fiery challenge and the top winner in each received a $100 cash prize.
The challenge drew a large crowd around it of people who either cheered on a friend or just wanted to see if anyone could actually get through all 12 ghost pepper covered wings.
While some stopped to watch the competitions or compete in them, many more spent their evening taking in the shows under the 4-H pavilion or riding the Midway rides.
The Indian River County Firefighters Fair, which benefits the Indian River County Burn Fund, continues through Sunday, March 18. For more about the fair, check out VeroNews.com’s special Firefighters Fair 2012 Guide.
Whip-Cracking Contest Winners
- Tots Division – Reid Bartosch
- Junior Boys – Gage Bartosch
- Junior Girls – Kayla Bennett
- Intermediate Boys – Nick Kobbe
- Intermediate Girls – Kaitlyn Staszewski
- Seniors – Blake Relick