PLATTSBURGH — According to local history, it was a rooster that made the Americans show the British they weren't chicken.
Legend has it, nearly 200 years ago during the Battle of Plattsburgh, a British frigate delivered a punishing blow to the USS Saratoga. However, the cannon shot also opened a chicken coop on deck, releasing a rooster who proceeded to land on a cannon, defiantly crowing and flaping his wings at the oncoming British, inspiring the Americans to victory.
"The legend is well known by anyone who is familiar with the battle," said Linda Ward of Cumberland Head.
What may not be quite as familiar is the annual Plucky Rooster Contest, organized by Ward for the past five years as part of the festivities during the Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration on Sept. 11.
"It's really fun, and it adds some color to the event," said Ward, who is a member of the Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration Committee.
ROOSTER MODELS
The contest encourages people to make creative models of the legendary rooster out of anything they can get their hands on.
Past roosters have been constructed from flowers, driftwood, duct tape, hardware-store materials and more.
"Every year, it gets more elaborate," Ward said. "The best materials to use are the ones you can find in the house. It's better to use recycled materials, and we encourage people to create their roosters that way."
NEW COSTUME CONTEST
The contest now also features a costume competition, where people dress up and do their best rooster impersonation.
Ward hopes fake roosters won't be the only fowl at this year's contest. She is looking to get the county's 4-H Club involved, so they can display some live roosters.
Any person, business, children, group or service organization is eligible to enter the Plucky Rooster contests.
"There's all different types of people who enter it," Ward said. "Last year, we had four nursing homes participate."
The Plucky Rooster Contest, which is judged by three members of the community, was suggested by Ward's fellow committee member, Jane Claffey.
PUSHING THE ROOSTER
Though it provides a fun activity during the celebration, Ward said they hope to incorporate the rooster even more with Plattsburgh.
"A lot of towns in New England and the East Coast adopt animals that mean something. They also have contests that involve that animal."
Ward said they are pursuing the idea of having the rooster symbolize Plattsburgh and are even hoping to have businesses sponsor artists to create unique rooster creations to place around town in the future.
BONDING
The committee hopes the contest gives people something to bond over.
"We want this to be a family or friends project," Ward said. "That's what we really strive for."
She said she is looking forward to the contest, which has been growing every year since its debut.
"I think it's one of the crowd favorites. People seem to have a lot of fun showing their creation, which gives other people pleasure."
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