Cowtown Scramble Vintage Base Ball Festival
Base ball in Delaware County goes back to at least 1825 when $1 was offered for a game at the home of Edward B. Chace in the newly formed Town of Hamden. Today, that tradition continues the first weekend in October on a sprawling former dairy farm in Bovina Center. Since it began in 2021, Creamery Park, home of the Bovina Dairymen and their sponsor, the Livestock Foundation, has welcomed dozens of teams to this event to compete for the love of the game playing by the rules, customs and attire of baseball's formative years. As a tradition, live music and BBQ follow the matches on Saturday night where ballists and fans can gather for post-game comraderie.
Each year, an antique wooden butter churn, dubbed the Cream of the Crop Award, is bestowed upon the team demonstrating the most skill, sportsmanship and grit displayed at the Cowtown Scramble. Previous winners include, the Atlantic Base Ball Club of Brooklyn, the Bovina Dairymen, and Providence Grays.
Mark your calendars for this year's festival on October 3-4, 2026. Featuring the following clubs:
Bovina Dairymen
Kingston Guards
Hamden Nine
Mountain Athletic Club
Saugerties Brickmakers
Providence Grays
Westfield Wheelmen Vintage Base Ball Club
Rising Sun Base Ball Club
The Eclipse Base Ball Club of Elkton
Dirigo Base Ball Club of Maine/Brooklyn Eckfords
Atlantic Base Ball Club of Brooklyn
New York Mutuals Base Ball Club
ATTENTION FESTIVAL GOERS! Here's some helpful information when planning your trip to the Cowtown Scramble:
Accommodations Closest to the Cowtown Scramble*
(Non-exhaustive list as there are many short-term rental options)
- $$ Mountain Brook Inn: 5333 County Highway 6, Bovina Center, NY 13740 $$ https://www.themountainbrookinn.com/
- $ Buena Vista Motel: 18718 NY 28, Delhi, NY 13753 $
https://buenavistamotel.com/ - $$ Andes Hotel: 110 Main Street, Andes, NY 13731 $$
https://secure.thinkreservations.com/andeshotel/reservations - $$ Hidden Inn: 10860 County Rd 18 South Kortright, NY 13842 $$
https://www.thehiddeninn1893.com/ - $$$ Hamden Inn: 35769 State Highway 10, Hamden, NY 13782 $$$
https://www.hamdeninnandlounge.com/the-inn - $$ The Vine on Main: 105 Main Street, Stamford, NY 12167-1140 $$
https://bit.ly/3JWyX4Q - $ Margaretville Motel: 42480 State Highway 28, Margaretville, NY 12455 $
https://margaretvillemotel.com/ - $ Colonial Inn Pine Hill: 305 Main St, Pine Hill, NY 12465 $
https://www.colonialinn.com/ - $ Octogon Acres: 34350 State Highway 10, Walton, New York 13856-9715
https://www.facebook.com/innatoctagonacres/
*Some locations may state they have a two-night minimum. We recommend you write to the host and discuss if there is an option to stay only
one night, if that is your desire.NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
Putt Putt Van Winkle Mini-Golf (5 minutes from Creamery Field)
https://puttputtvanwinkle.com/Maplewood Farm and Orchard - U-Pick Pumpkins, Apples and Farm Store (5 minutes fromCreamery Field)
https://www.maplewoodfarmny.com/Russell’s General Store – Only offsite venue in Bovina for grab and go food and drinks!! (3 minutes from Creamery Field)
2099 County Hwy 6, Bovina Center, NY
Hours: Saturday 7am – 4pm; Sunday 8am – 2pm
Hobart Book Village – Eight used book stores in two blocks! (15 minutes from Creamery Field)
http://www.hobartbookvillage.com/
