Rufus di Rafineschi flew away with first prize at The Park’s eleventh annual Toe-Hair contest, held this Spring at the Ancient, Open-Air Theatre.
All five judges awarded the Bat first place and offered high praise for his toe-hairs, which they said, “extended noticeably beyond the tips of his toes.”
Di Rafineschi, who with this victory becomes a member of an exclusive group of Animals in The Park, is the first big-eared Bat in the contest’s history to win the prestigious award.
“I’m thrilled and humbled,” di Rafineschi said at a press conference following the judges’ decision. “It makes me feel that I really belong in The Park.”
The Bat, a native of Kentucky, first roosted in The Park three years ago.
Finding the atmosphere “quite welcoming,” he decided to become a permanent resident a year ago.
Second and third prizes at the contest were awarded to Samuel P. Gecko and to Buckley, a Bearded Collie.
