What the heck is a rubber check race?
We received a message from one of our followers that went something along the lines of, "Hey would you guys want to shoot a rubber check race?" (Shout out to Paige!!)
My response was something along the lines of, "Sure."
Followed by an exclamation to Michael that went something along the lines of, "Hey babe.... we have a rubber check race on the books..."
"What the heck's a rubber check race?!"
A quick YouTube search, a few head scratches, and some glances traded that we knew meant...this should be interesting!
So, what is a rubber check race?
Well, the Ag. community is nothing if not self-deprecating. The rubber check race was an invention some forty years ago by Mr. & Mrs. Dallas & Patti Larsen as a caricature of the agricultural life and its ups and downs. The humble beginnings of a Wednesday night at the county fair, it is safe to say have become a Saturday evening staple at the fair!
This race is meant to satirize the "rubber checks" that are passed from the rancher to the farmer, and on to the banker
If you know, YOU KNOW.
The first leg of the relay is a horse and rider relay, representing the rancher. A horse and rider make a full lap around the track and must pass the baton (rubber check) to the next horse and rider within a short, marked span on the course.
That horse and rider must then make their lap, dismount prior to the afore mentioned span and, on foot race to the farmer (represented by the ATV rider).
The ATV rider dismounts the ATV and loads himself into the wheelbarrow. It is again a foot race. The banker, as bankers are known to do -takes a short cut, running with the wheelbarrow, cutting the racetrack in half to the finish line.
We have never seen anything like it! The seats at the event (somewhere over the thousand mark) sell out every year in about an hour! The energy of the crowd is palpable, and everyone is there for the fun! We are excited to be invited back next year!
"Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive."- Elbert Hubbard
