Inside NYC’s first pigeon party told by one of the competing pigeons

The finalist Pigeon Duo Peck and Wreck open up to people about their experience competing in New York City’s first pigeon party, held on High Line on June 14, also known as Pigeon Appreciation Day.

The people under the plumage, Mandy Meindersma, 30, and Sophia Erskine, 26, competed as a duo in the competition part of Dove. The competition presented competitors dressed in elaborate costumes tied back to the city’s humble but iconic bird.

For their performance, Peck and Wreck Bore Feathy Outfits on stage, complete with working pigeon beak and bird -like eye makeup. The team told the story of Peck and Wreck who fights for a perfect piece of pizza, represented by a balloon, and contained Meindersma and Erskine who made some acrobatics for the plot. As Acroyoga partners for two years, Meindersma and Erskine channeled their friendship and confidence in peck and wreck performance.

While the top prize for the competition went to Miriam Abrahams, who spent a month in hand created a paper master, Meindersma and Erskine still felt like big award winners as one of the seven pigeon documents chosen to perform at Pigeon party of hundreds of posts.

“We practiced the action for hours and hours every day,” Meindersma said about the couple’s prep for the big event. “Sophia and I both put in 70 hours for three weeks: practice on the action, choreography, sound mixing and costume production.”

“I am so honored to represent pigeons in front of thousands! Our action was really playful, funny and lovable, so I think it could make some people pigeon fans,” she adds.

The duo felt compelled to enter Pigeon party because they already had their suits partly made by Halloween, when the friends dressed like a rat and a dove. They were proud to hold the court with six other pigeons documents, many of which included professional artists.

Never miss a story – register for People’s free daily newsletters Keeping up to date on the best of what people have to offer, from celebrity news to compelling stories of human interest.

Meindersma and Erskine, who got a pigeon -shaped trophy for their work in the competition, loved that Pigeon party attracted thousands of bird lovers, including several pigeons.

“People brought their pet pigeons, and they were so social, you knew them and then get a photo of them on your shoulder,” Meinsersma said. “The choice was fantastic! The weather was rainy and cold, but people were still stoked to see a pigeon competition.”

Meindersma is optimistic that Pigeon Fest’s success will lead to another event next year and more comprehensive acceptance and respect for the bird that is often called “a rat with wings.”

“They are like the service dogs we have forgotten. We dominated them, and now they just cool around people because that’s all they know. They are not annoying, they just do the only thing they know how to do, be comrades with us,” says Meindersma about why pigeons deserve our love.

NYC’s first Pigeon party also had carnival games, panel discussions and other festivities. It was held on National Pigeon Appreciation Day, a holiday associated with President Woodrow Wilson, who first celebrated the day to honor Carrier Pigeon’s contribution to the First World War, Per New York Times.