Good food, good turnout, great times

The Schuyler Farms team unseated defending champions Koteles Farms during the 2nd Annual Farm to Farm tug of war competition, Sunday, July 7. 

Jeff Tribe

Advocate Correspondent

Oscar Martinez’s affable nature has earned him the Spanish nickname ‘Muneca’ - ‘Doll’ in English - among his Sandy Shore Farms compatriots.

But for the next year at least, the Mexico City native has also gained the title of ‘Norfolk’s Biggest Jerk.’

It’s not because of a change in personality, far from it. Martinez’ trademark smile was still firmly in place following his jerk chicken and rice and peas eating competition victory at the 2nd Annual Farm to Farm Tug of War, Sunday, July 7 at the Norfolk County Youth Soccer Park.

But he also had his game face on amongst a half-dozen offshore workers from farms in the area cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd as they attacked a significant combined mound of popular Caribbean staples: Scotch bonnet pepper-flavoured chicken with a familiar side. Martinez’ victory was no slam dunk against credible competition. But buoyed by chants of ‘Doll’ - a tiny bit confusing at the time, but explained later - and with the fiery heat of the chicken offset with occasional pulls from bottles of water, he persevered to a celebrated finish line.

“Mental control, that’s all,” Martinez explained of his gameplan through a translator. “I see food, I gotta eat it.”

A true meat eater, he dedicated his ‘Norfolk’s Biggest Jerk’ title to his children Saul and Irlanda, his considerable appetite fully slaked in arrears of the competition, no need for dessert.

“I am done,” Martinez smiled in conclusion.

The event personified an event based around fun and friendly competition moving strongly into a second year, building and expanding on the success of an inaugural tug-of-war. Hosted in 2025 as a collaboration between the Catholic Community Services of York Region’s (CCSYR) Simcoe satellite office and the Norfolk OPP, this year’s event added a soccer tournament and ‘Norfolk’s Biggest Jerk’ competition to the mix. 

“We’re trying to create a more community-oriented space,” explained CCSYR Norfolk Expansion Lead and Director, Norfolk Community In Action Inc. Leanne Arnal. “Integrating our whole community.”

The effort not only included but featured thousands of offshore agricultural employees who live and work in Norfolk County for a significant percentage of the year. A celebratory atmosphere was heightened by the presence of county firefighters, local vendors, food trucks and music. The OPP stepped up not only through their supportive presence, but also for a soccer match against an offshore all-star team featuring representatives from each participating farm.

Norfolk OPP Community Engagement Officer Constable Andrew Gamble was among those stepping up to the challenge. He signed up despite having a good idea how the game would play out against ‘incredible talent’ previously seen on display at the Farms of Norfolk Football Association tournament, scheduled this year for August 10th at the same facility.

“The quality of the soccer is unparalleled,” Gamble credited.

Born and raised in Norfolk, he played rep minor soccer and with the Holy Trinity Titans squad.

“I’ve been told it’s like riding a bike,” he laughed. “But I can speak for the (OPP) group when I say it’s been a little while.”

Gamble expected the final result to play out in favour of the opposition, but prior to the match, his 20-year-delayed return to the pitch was about the opportunity to help bring people together, inspiring a sense of community within the community, which few things can do better than sports.

“That’s why we’re so fortunate to be part of this event.”

At the end of the day, the offshore team would in fact prevail over the OPP representatives following an accelerated 20-minute game farm tournament, in which Nightingale Farms took the title. Schuyler Farms unseated the defending champions from Koteles Farms in the tug-of-war competition, and as mentioned Martinez eared ‘Biggest Jerk’ honours.

Arnal estimated the turnout at around 3,000, enjoying good competition, good food, great weather and good times in a convivial, celebratory atmosphere.

“A great turnout,” she summed up, considering the considerable work such an event requires, fully worthwhile.

“One hundred per cent,” she concluded. “And we’ll do it all again next year.”