Paul Gamino And His Parlor Rollers

In November of 1981, the Pageant of Pigeons was the site for the first Parlor Roller to go beyond the one hundred foot mark. This barrier was shattered with ease when a young grizzle hen, band number 947 that was later name "Priceless" had to be stopped at 128’ 10” {39 Meters} for lack of adequate grass area to roll on.

It’s only fitting that the Great Pageant of Pigeons be the same site to bare witness to an event that some believed could never be done. On November 15, 2001, the Pageant of Pigeons was the site for the first Parlor Roller to go beyond the two hundred foot barrier. This two hundred foot barrier was elapsed when a young Almond hen, band number 08, rolled 204’ 2” {62 Meters}. Both Pageant wins being done in dramatic fashion with a come from behind win. At the 1981 Pageant, the late Great Norm McMurray and the reining World Record Holder at 95’ 7” was in first place with a roll of 78’ 4”. Priceless, the very last Parlor Roller to roll for the day had an incredible final roll of 128' 10" before having to be stopped by her owner from rolling off a curb into a parking lot and possibly being injured.

During the November of 2001 Pageant of Pigeons, there was just as much drama as Richard Rangel's little red hen, band number 3240, had posted the longest roll of the day at 115’ 3” and look to be the next 2001 Pageant of Pigeons Parlor Roller Grand Champion. This all changed when on the final roll 08 which now goes by the name of "Betty," named after Betty Peters the widow of the late great Merrill Peters, had an incredible final roll at 204’ 2”. Paul Gamino’s young Almond hen band number 08 is the first Parlor Roller to roll beyond two hundred feet. In doing so, “Betty” establishes a Pageant of Pigeons record, National Pigeon Association record, and New World Record for distance at 204' 2" (62 Meters).