Grange Kids
Go To The
Cow Palace
Submitted By Ron Plechaty
This April12th thru the 15th , 2006 was especially exciting for the
Grange Families that went to the Cow Palace. This family event was lead by Grange youth leader Helen Fergueson. Attending was the Hunter, Jordan, Collin and
Taylor Sturvant, Ashlee Coopman, David Plechaty, Dalton Nichols, Marrisa Lopez, and Mauricio Contreras. These youthful Grangers
were able to show dairy cows in various classes for both confirmation and showmanship. The competition was stiff but our Grange
was able to compete and grabbed many ribbons in a range of classes.
In addition to participating in the livestock show the Grange Youth
members also attended three great evening performances of the Grand National Rodeo. These events occurred on the premises
at the Cow Palace. The Grange families really enjoyed this rodeo that was publicized as a world class rodeo event. The show
was outstanding with lots of action. Every event included some of the finest examples of rodeo athletes around including bull
riders, bronc riders, steer wrestlers and calf ropers. Also included were outstanding women’s horse riding drill team
and female barrel racers.
Later in the week the Grange families were treated to a concert featuring
the country music star Leanne Rimes. The concert was crowded with thousands of fans. The 23-year-old Ms. Rimes gave an outstanding
performance and was a great crowd pleaser often talking to the crowd and waving to the fans. The concert lasted about 2 hours
and everyone was real worn out and tired by the time we got back to the Holiday Inn. Everyone enjoyed that evening.
While in San Francisco during a lull period, I took my son David Plechaty
to the Ripley’ Believe it or Not museum. This tourist attraction was down by Fisherman's’ Wharf. The parking in
San Francisco is at best difficult. I learned a vital lesson .... bring lots of quarters, because the merchants downtown always
tell you they do not have any . The parking meters cost 25 cents for 6 minutes of parking on the streets in San Francisco.
We saw the museum in less that an hour, (ran out of quarters) and indeed Ripley collected some very odd things including "shrunken
heads". (Do you need a permit for that?) It was great fun.
Things got interesting on the way back to the livestock barn as I
made a wrong turn and got on the wrong highway. Well it took a turn for the worse after I nearly had an accident with an insane
San Francisco driver. Seconds latter I smelled smoke and then noticed some coming from a vent. I pulled over and discovered
the fuse box caught on fire due. I used my fire extinguisher and quickly put it out. My son was a bit shook up, but after
a makeshift repair we made it back to the Cow Palace and home.
The Grange Youth and families had great fun and had an opportunity to prepare for the Del Norte county fair livestock show.
