'Nancy Pelosi' chicken takes home 'Pet Idol' prize

Joel Mazur and his chicken named "Nancy Pelosi" won the Pet Idol contest during the 11th annual MetroBarks Festival. At left Brittney Bradner from the The Blade presents a check for $500.

The first chicken to be entered in The Blade's "Pet Idol" contest is also this year's winner.

Nancy Pelosi, a 12-week-old New Hampshire red chicken, took home the $500 prize in the ninth-annual contest at the MetroBarks Festival on Saturday, held at Swan Creek Preserve Metropark. She spent much of her time balancing contently on her owner‘‍s arm.

“Oh, my gosh!” Joel Mazur of Waterville said when the announcement was made.“You’ll have to rename it the MetroClucks Festival now.”

Mr. Mazur entered the friendly hen in the photo contest after being encouraged by the 2013 Pet Idol winner Bob Reinbolt, who owns a German shepherd named Katie, to enter a pet. Mr. Reinbolt and Mr. Mazur both work for the Toledo mayor’‍s office as chief and assistant chief of staff, respectively.

Nancy, who shares her name with that of a California Congressman, beat out 102 other entries to take the title, winning the final round by a mere 22 votes. Brittney Bradner, the Blade employee in charge of the contest, said about 30,000 votes were cast since the contest began in March. About 3,500 votes were cast in the last four days alone.