Sheep Shearing Festival to feature Cowpie Bingo again

April 11--NORTH ANDOVER -- Wanted: One docile, amiable, well-fed cow.

The 42nd annual Sheep Shearing Festival, to be held May 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Old Center Common, will once again include Cowpie Bingo. This event is relatively new to the festival, having been introduced just two years ago, but it has become very popular, a tradition, actually.

Last year, Richardson's Farm in Middleton, creators of the ice cream of the same name, lent a dairy cow to the festival. Roche's, a local farm, provided a cow in 2012.

Police Lt. E.J. Foulds is in charge of finding a cow for this year's festival. He said he's confident that he will accomplish his mission, but if anyone can lend a cow for a fun -- and charitable -- event, Foulds can be reached at the Police Department at 978-683-3168.

"Do not call 911," he said.

The event is scheduled for noon. A huge square will be marked off on the Common, consisting of 625 smaller squares.

After having been very adequately fed, the special bovine guest of the day will begin sauntering among the squares, for which chance takers will have paid $10 each. When the cow, ahem, does its business, the lucky person who purchased the affected square will win the grand prize of $1,000.

If the cow doesn't bless your square, you will still have a chance to win some money. The numbers of 10 squares will be randomly drawn for prizes of $100 each. The proceeds benefit the Santa Parade.

Squares can be purchased at MTM Insurance, 1320 Osgood St., Saturday through April 18; Salem Five Bank, 530 Turnpike St., April 19 through 25; The Equestrian Shop, 1812 Turnpike St., April 26 through May 2; Rolf's Restaurant, 39 Main St., May 3 through May 9; and Stachey's Pizza, 21 High St., May 10 through 17.

Squares will also be sold at Butcher Boy and in the downtown April 26 and May 3.

The Sheep Shearing Festival draws thousands of people to the Common every May. It features demonstrations of sheep shearing as well as dogs herding the flock. Dozens of crafters and food vendors set up booths on the Common.

Crafters interested in selling their products at the festival may call Jeffrey Coco, co-chairman of the Festival Committee, at 978-490-6505.

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