Two cows munched grass in a field at Woodside Farm Creamery in Hockessin over the weekend, unperturbed, as a crowd assembled around them, waiting expectantly -- for one of them to answer nature's call.
There was money on that poo -- people paid $5 for a Cowpie Bingo ticket that was randomly assigned a square on a grassy grid.
The August 9 event was a fund raiser for the Hockessin Fire Company, and one lucky winner took home $500 when, after 14 minutes of grazing, a cow did her business on a grassy square.
The game was over so quickly Hockessin resident Mary Jo Barbato said she was not even sure what happened until people started cheering wildly for the cow.
In retrospect, it may have been a little silly to stand around waiting for a cow to poop, but it was all for a good cause, she said.
“Only in Hockessin. . .” she said, grinning sheepishly.
The amount raised from Cow Pie Bingo has not been totaled, but the fund raiser probably brought in more than $1,000, said Karen Gephart, president of the Hockessin Fire Company’s Ladies Auxiliary.
The money will be used to help buy equipment and gear for the fire company, which relies heavily on volunteers and community support, she said.
The Ladies Auxiliary sponsors a number of fund raisers throughout the year to support the fire company, including monthly breakfasts, a New Year’s Eve party and a beef and beer in March, she said.
The next breakfast will be on Sept. 21 and all are welcome to attend and support the company, which has been serving the Hockessin community since 1936.
