Matt Baird wins 201st Peters Hollow Egg Fight, Madalyn Peters sets new records
Published 7:34 pm Monday, April 1, 2024
Contributed Photo/C.Y. Peters Matt Baird celebrates his victory after winning the 201st Peters Hollow Egg Fight, with Curtis Edwards taking second place.
Contributed Photo/C.Y. Peters/Matt Baird and Curtis Edwards participate in the final round of the 201st Peters Hollow Egg Fight.
Contributed Photo/C.Y. Peters/Participants eagerly await the start of the 201st Peters Hollow Egg Fight.
Contributed Photo/C.Y. Peters/Madalyn Peters dominates in both the 4-6 and 7-12-year-old divisions at the 201st Peters Hollow Egg Fight.
Contributed Photo/C.Y. Peters/The 201st Peters Hollow Egg Fight featured participants of all ages, including those in the 0-3-year-old division.
Contributed Photo/C.Y. Peters/Mike Cole (dressed as Colonel Sanders) poses with Carson Peters at the 201st Peters Hollow Egg Fight.
Contributed Photo/C.Y. Peters/Levi Arnold emerges victorious in the 0-3-year-old division at the 201st Peters Hollow Egg Fight.
Contributed Photo/C.Y. Peters/Madalyn Peters secures wins in both the 4-6 and 7-12-year-old divisions at the 201st Peters Hollow Egg Fight.
Contributed Photo/C.Y. Peters/McKynlee Peters earned second place in the 7-12-year-old division at the 201st Peters Hollow Egg Fight.
Contributed Photo/C.Y. Peters/Solomon Maupin achieved second place in the 0-3-year-old division at the 201st Peters Hollow Egg Fight.
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By C.Y. Peters
Star Correspondent
In Peters Hollow, nestled snugly between rolling hills and babbling brooks, there existed a tradition that was as old as the town itself: the Peters Hollow Egg Fight. Since its inception in 1823, the Egg Fight had been a cherished Easter Sunday tradition, bringing together families, friends, and neighbors in a spirited competition that celebrated both skill and camaraderie.
At the heart of the event stood the main stage, a makeshift arena where contenders would test their mettle in the ultimate showdown of egg-breaking skills. Among the competitors, one name stood out: Matthew Baird. With a steely gaze and a determined air, Baird had earned himself a reputation as a formidable opponent, having honed his skills year after year in pursuit of the coveted top trophy finishing in second place many times.
As the clock struck three, the crowd hushed to a whisper as the first round commenced. Eggs met with resounding cracks as competitors vied for supremacy. Cheers and groans erupted from the onlookers with each successful hit or devastating loss, lending an electric energy to the proceedings.
In the end, it was Baird who emerged victorious, his three remaining eggs standing as a testament to his skill and determination. With a triumphant grin, he accepted the top trophy amid a chorus of applause, cementing his place in Peters Hollow Egg Fight history.
But the day’s triumphs were not confined solely to the main event. In the smaller divisions, a new generation of competitors had begun to make their mark. Among them was Madalyn Peters, the great-granddaughter of the legendary seven-time winner, Jerry Peters. With a fierce determination that belied her young age, Madalyn swept through both the 4-6 and 7-12-year-old divisions, besting her own sister, McKynlee, in the latter with a skill that seemed almost preternatural.
In the youngest category, Levi Arnold emerged as the undisputed champion of the 0-3-year-olds, his chubby fists wielding eggs with surprising accuracy. Close behind him was Soloman Maupin, whose infectious laughter and bright smile endeared him to all who watched.
Despite the day’s successes, however, there was a noticeable absence in the crowd – a void left by the many who had opted to stay home and watch the Tennessee basketball game instead. Though their absence was felt, it did little to dampen the spirits of those who remained, their enthusiasm undimmed by the lure of televised sports.
At the heart of it all stood Norman Peters and his son, Jamie, the stalwart hosts who had presided over the Egg Fight for more than three decades. Theirs was a labor of love, a commitment to preserving a tradition that had endured through generations, binding the community together in a shared celebration of springtime and renewal.
As the sun began to sink below the horizon, casting long shadows across Norman’s field, the last echoes of laughter and applause faded into the twilight. But in the hearts of those who had witnessed the day’s events, the spirit of the Peters Hollow Egg Fight lived on, a timeless reminder of the bonds that united them as neighbors, friends, and family.
