By Connie Leinbach
Before all the contestants had a chance to shriek, a small flock of Laughing gulls fluttered about the crowd at Stockroom Street Food.
Was it the human attempts at “screeching like a gull” that drew them or the bread roll that someone started tearing apart and tossing at them?
In any event, right as islander Claire Senseney let loose with her winning shriek, several gulls joined in.
The “Seagull Screeching Competition” was the brainchild of Jenny Scarborough, who organized the first event on July 20.
Spirits were high as those who dared got the chance to yell for a few minutes. Costumes were encouraged and Senseney’s costume included homemade wings and a hat with a huge beak.
She said she practiced once for the competition.
“In my car on the way to the dump to get cardboard for my costume,” she said.
Tree Ray and Kitty Mitchell were among others who sported gull costumes.
Amid the approving roar of spectators, judges Woody Billings, Alan Sutton and Hunter Messick rendered their numeric verdicts.
Five-year-old Mary Bowman of High Point, who was visiting her grandmother Debbie Leonard for the week, came in second. Mary was most interested in her ice cream sandwich prize.
Visitor Meg Scott of Charlotte captured third place.
Event host Noah Daniel made quips between screeches.
“Fun fact: Seagulls can drink fresh and salt water because they filter out the salt in a gland,” he told the crowd.
Scarborough said about 25 people took part and the winners received prizes from Stockroom and Books to be Red.
“I saw (competitions) on YouTube,” she said about this new activity, “and I thought ‘Ocracoke.’”
These competitions are all over Europe, particularly Britain and Belgium, she said.
A search on YouTube found several videos of long-standing competitions in which contestants also sport elaborate costumes and receive medals.
Scarborough said the event will be held again next year at a date to be determined.
This story corrected the spelling of second-place winner Mary Bowman.
Now that is a kewl event. I hope to make it next year.
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