Capital Region Towns Set for ‘Tug of War’ Battle
An old rivalry between two Capital Region towns is getting ready to start back up again.
According to The Daily Gazette, Glenville and Rotterdam both turn 20 years old in 2020 and plans are in place for a 'tug of war' rematch from a 1970 contest in which Rotterdam claims that Glenville cheated. The July 5, 1970 contest proved controversial with each side having a team of 150, with a rope stretched across the Mohawk River. Rotterdam called a premature victory and Glenville pulled 30 members of the Rotterdam team into the river to win the contest. The contest didn't go without some injuries. A couple of competitors were treated for rope burn and one for a broken wrist. The towns have a rematch lined up, all in good fun, for July 4, 2020 with a "practice" challenge set for July 6, 2019.
The 2020 Tug of War Challenge will be just one of many bicentennial events that the towns will be planning. Glenville has a meeting at Town Hall on June 6 at 7pm for anyone with ideas and/or memories of what was done to mark the 1970 anniversary. Glenville Town Supervisor Chris Koetzle encourages those interested to come by with ideas, thoughts and comments. Who do you feel will win this contest? Are you Team Glenville or Team Rotterdam?