weighing the beef to win the jackpot

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The famous beef weighting is a festive moment, which attracts many participants each year. Everyone is invited to estimate the weight of an ox during the Sainte-Catherine fair of Briouze (Orne), since this Saturday November 23, 2024.

This year, the 17-month-old beast, pure Norman breedaffectionately named “Unhistoire” comes from Gaec Foucault, also owner of the famous Oreillette cow. It is a volunteer from the fair and market committee, Daniel Delêtre, who took care of the transport of the animal.

Tickets to try your hand at weight estimation

This season, the weighting takes place in a particular contextafter the snowy episode which disrupted the morning activities of Sainte-Catherine.

On Saturday, “Unhistoire” stayed in his truck, near the pharmacy, a more strategic place for ticket sales, before returning to his usual placethis Sunday, near the artisans' marquee.

He will stay there all weekend until his departure for the weigh-in at the Gaec Delaunay in Saint-André-de-Briouze. For those who wish try their luckit's simple: just buy a ticket to participate.

Estimate the weight of the ox and get its value

The participant closest to actual weight will win the beef or its value, estimated at €1,200! For €2, it is possible to make an estimate, and for €5, offer three different weights. With approximately 1,000 tickets for sale To cover costs, every contribution counts.

Christiane Salles, municipal councilor, took care of the planning of the twenty volunteers. “We are in groups of five selling tickets and we take turns every two hours,” she says.

Jacques Deparis, enthusiastic about the idea of ​​participating in this tradition, has been playing and selling tickets for ten years. “It is above all a party and an animation that is part of the local identity. »

“No question of missing a Sainte-Catherine! »

In fact, each discusses, gauges and advises to find the right weight. The opportunity for discussions, laughter and reunions even in this gloomy weather. For these residents of Bellou-en-Houlme, there is no question of missing the weighting of the beef.

We've always been coming. No question of missing a Sainte-Catherine!

Last year, seven participants managed to guess the exact weight beef among 2,500 tickets sold. €500 worth of vouchers to share were offered.

This year, the fairs and markets committee returned to tradition. “It’s much more attractive to earn the value of the beef. 'Unhistoire' is valued at €1,200, that's not nothing! », underlines Philippe Leprince, president of the fairs and markets committee.

THE estimations of weight oscillate between 350 and 500 kg, everyone has to specify their prognosis throughout the weekend before the Monday evening weigh-in and, perhaps, walk away with the jackpot!

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