What’s Going On?

Ringing in his bell for the third consecutive year in a row, Leonard Oats took the throne as he came out on top over the six contestants. He was followed by Frank Ware who took second  and Howard Woo who came in at third.

This year’s contest was held at Union Square this Tuesday a little after noon. A crowd of about a couple hundred gathered around the cable car in hopes to see history in the making as six cable car grip-men competed against each other for the title of Cable Car Ringing Champion of the World.

The rules for the professional contest were that may have up to 30 seconds to practice prior to his performance. Contestants may not have any music accompaniment and/or dancers. He must do it alone. And the contestants must ring the bell while in a cable car.

In the amateur competition that preceded before the professional competition each contestant was allowed to ring the bell to accompanied music and by dancers. Coming out on top for his second year in a row Scotty B of KOIT took his second victory. His bell ringing display was accompanied by two break dancers and four green boa female backup dancers as his theme was that of a bar.  Following Scotty in second was Janelle Wang of ABC 7 / KGO-TV. She brought to the competition this year four 49ers Gold Rush cheerleaders to help her. Janelle went on to dance with the girls in a choreographed routine where she then left the dancers to start ringing the bell. Lastly, in third place was Aaron Jones of KBLX. Jones’ routine was that to a slow paced Latin ballroom dancing.

After the competition, awards were given to all the participants. Prizes for the contestants consisted of hotel stays, dinner certificates, other food certificates, trophies, posters, and the championship bell.