Miami Valley Storytellers

2nd Annual Big Bull Shake Liar’s Contest at Young’s Jersey Dairy

The audience laughed heartily, often in disbelief, as one storyteller after another told their Lies and Tall Tales. Each story came to that point where the listeners knew for certain that their legs had been pulled. Just how and when that happened was the thrill of it all.

The Big Bull Shake Liar’s Contest is part of Young’s Dairy Small Town American Celebration BBQ Weekend, held on July 4th, in the big picnic shelter. It is hosted by the Yellow Springs Tale Spinners: Lisa Holmes, Eric Wolf, Harold Wright and Jonatha Wright, emcee.

Devin, Asa, Grace and Tori.
Asa Chen – 1st Place Winner!	This year the youth qualifying round was held from 1:00 to 2:00 PM. Asa Chen, Devon Chen, Grace Homes, Tori Huxley and Windom Mesure participated with original stories. Each one was a winner as the audience cheered. Asa, Devon and Grace were chosen to compete in the final youth event, that began at 5:00 PM. In this final round, Asa Chen won a full year of Young’s Ice Cream and a Golden Trowel with his first place telling of his story, “The Scratch.” Devon Chen came in 2nd with his telling of “My Cat, Bob.” He won a $20.00 Young’s gift certificate and the Silver Trowel. Third place went to Grace Homes for her telling of “Dragons.” She won a $10.00 Young’s gift certificate and the Copper Trowel. The Trowel’s are symbolic that these winners can keep on ‘shoveling’ those big bull shake lies–as are the shovels awarded the adult winners.
It was so exciting to see all the storytelling talent we have with our youth of Greene and Clark counties!
The Judges for the Youth Qualifying Round were Dave Davis, Sylvania, Ohio; Martha Gardin, Yellow Springs, Ohio, and Brian Hickam, Toledo, Ohio. Final round judges were Maria Booth and Michael Cannon of Yellow Springs, and Dan Young, of Young’s Dairy. Seven storytellers competed in the Adult Qualifying round held 2:00 to 4:00. We heard stories about skunks, Japanese Shamen, family characters and famous relatives, Donkey eggs, house sitters, misunderstandings, and more. Our emotions had a roller coaster ride! The competitors were Megan Bihn from Atherns, Ohio; Adele Browne, Logan, Ohio; Dave Davis, Sylvania, Ohio; Timothy Fultz, Athens, Ohio; Stephen Hollen, Beavercreek, Ohio; Linda Parsons, Clifton, Ohio; and Brian Victoria, Yellow Springs, Ohio. Megan Bihn, Stephen Hollen and Linda Parsons competed for the title of “Big Bull Shake Liar” during the 6:00 to 7:00 final round. Linda Parsons won 3rd Place, receiving a $10.00 Young’s Gift Certificate and the Copper Shovel for her ‘tragic’ but hilarious tale of crisis at the Fairborn July 4th celebration earlier in the day, caused by her wrapped leg and crutches. Megan Bihn came in 2nd as she personalized a classic story about Mule Eggs. Her body language and facial expressions were delightful. Again the crowd roared in laughter. Judges for the Adult Qualifying Round were John Booth and Eric Wolf, Yellow Springs, and Lisa Holmes, Springfield. The final Adult Competition judges were: Maria Booth, Michael Cannon and Cheryl Smith, all of Yellow Springs.	Stephen Hollen, Megan Bih, Lindsey Parson, Timothy Fultz, Brian Victoria Adele Browne and Harold Wright. Order has not reflection on ability or skill.
The Big Bull Shake, 1st Place winner was Stephen Hollen. His masterful job of fooling and delighting us was truly a sight to see. His story was inspired by his recent family genealogy search and finding that some of his relations were on the wrong side of the famous Wright family of Dayton! He won a year of free ice cream in the form of a $100.00 Young’s gift certificate, and the Golden Shovel.

We members of the Yellow Springs Tale Spinners and the Miami Valley Storytellers want to extend a hearty and heart felt thanks to Young’s Jersey Dairy for sponsoring this event, to our great audience, our judges and especially to our storytellers who participated in this year’s Big Bull Shake Liar’s Contest!