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Tug-Of-War Team
Tug-of-war was a popular sport in Oxford County during 1880's. The Zorra team defeated their neighboring Nissouri team and Dereham township team for 4 consecutive years. The Honourable James Sutherland, member of the federal parliament for Oxford at the time, was president of the Zorra team and took them to the United States to compete in August of 1888. There they became the American Champions. In August of 1890, the Chicago Highland Association challenged Zorra's right to be called American Champions and asked them for a match in Chicago. Zorra was defeated and the spectators protested, this controversial win. Zorra invited Chicago for a return match in 1890, at the Embro and West Zorra Agricultural Society's annual fair. Where Zorra won, throwing it back to Chicago. On July 14, 1893, the World Championship was held in Chicago. This time, Zorra was meeting teams from Britain, Belgium, France, Germany and United States. Zorra once again gave all their strength and brought home the trophy for Canada. It is now displayed at the Oxford County Museum, Woodstock. In 1937, The Zorra Caledonian Society erected a huge cairn at the gates of the North Embro Cemetery to commemorate this famous team. On July 1st every year the Zorra Caledonian Society host the Highland Games in Embro, Ontario. The tug-of-war competition continues to be a real crowd pleasure.
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