The Barn Yard at SS&R Opens With Some Unexpected Guests

"It's a 975 mile drive from the end of my driveway in Mulberry Grove, Illinois to here," Woody stated. 

Woody's first production includes one huge sign overhead boasting "World's Largest Cats-Woody's Menagerie."  Woody said he "has raised 2 of only 6 "Ligers," Lion and Tiger hybrids, in the United States that travel this way." His exhibit, to view the Ligers, costs a nominal fee and is something many will only view once in a lifetime.  

"They are 52 inches tall from the hip and weigh around 900 pounds each, and I've raised them since they were cubs," Woody added.

As for the next exhibit, Woody provides an educational show that takes place twice daily and showcases different animals, including armadillos not native to our region.  

Woody stated, "We have three- and six-band armadillos, not nine-banded ones like you have."  

He also said he has a European Lynx with an extremely unusual colored coat.  

"We like for everyone to come out and see the animals we enjoy and work with," Woody said. "It is the kids' future and my way to contribute through education."

"Woody's Barn" is the Illinois man's final, and maybe the most exciting, event that occurs twice daily.  A huge barn-type background is the backdrop for a U-shaped, railed, simulated racetrack. There were metal bleachers surrounding the 2 p.m. performance, and it was standing room only.  

Woody, dressed in overalls and a headset, greeted the crowd and welcomed them to his "barnyard races."  He said they were a "different type of race."  His wife Karen stood to the side and it was her job to line up the contestants along the starting gates.

Children and adults cheered as Woody described the first set of contenders for the first race. It consisted of four pigs: Mr Arnold Schwartzepigger, Swine Not So Swift, Mr Squealy Ray Cyrus and Mr Kevin Bacon. Woody then kept the energy going in the crowd by asking for volunteers to hold color-coded flags that represented each pig and cheering them on.

"Be sure and wave scream and holler for your pig," he said.  

At game time, Woody, over his loud speaker, told everyone to yell "SUEY" really loud as it encouraged the pigs, and the crowd obliged. The trumpets sounded and the pigs were off.  People were ringing cowbells, applauding, waving their arms, and cheering on their favorite pig. Mr Kevin Bacon, for the "green team," was announced the winner, and then it was onto the next set of contenders.

After that, three more races took place: the geese, the Racing Ducks, and then, the final contestants were, as Woody described, "the guard dogs of the barn yard." These were five dachshunds that ran as if a hot dog were waiting for them at the finish line. Many people cheered on as 20 short legs scrambled and big floppy ears blew in the wind.  

At the end of the event, Woody encouraged the crowd to be sure and check out his other two exhibits. The anxious pleas of many children could be heard throughout the crowd; they definitely wanted to attend.

Woody said he and his show will be here for the duration of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo events, and everyone has been very kind and receptive.