American Racing Pigeon Union

Recently, after moving Wisconsin to the Plains Zone, the AU Board decided to add West Virginia and Kentucky to the Lakes Zone.  I thought this might be a good opportunity to introduce myself to the flyers in those states.

I hope to be able to meet many West Virginia and Kentucky pigeon flyers in the future and I want you to feel free to contact me with any concerns you might have.  Since becoming an AU Zone Director, I’ve gained a new appreciation of the resources the AU has to offer and the wonderful staff that is always willing to provide any assistance you might require. Representing the Lakes Zone is a task I take very seriously and I promise that I will do my best to represent your interests.

Ron Pairan
Lakes Zone Director

Director’s Corner


The Northeast Zone includes Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and eastern provinces of Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Labrador.

Zone Director, Bill Desmarais:

The Northeast Zone has a long history of racing pigeons. On the Northeast coast, the sport of racing pigeons was initially brought over to our area by our European ancestors. The sport has always been a part of our culture while growing up in this area of America.

I’m very proud to represent an area so rich in pigeon culture and history. In my particular city, Fall River, Massachusetts, we have significant populations of Italians, Portuguese, Irish and French people. Many immigrant parents and grandparents, who may not race pigeons, but have pigeons in their back yards. Our city is very accepting of our sport and ordinances are very favorable and liberal to pigeon flyers. No license or permit is required, no limits on pigeon numbers and there is only a ten foot set back from the property line. Additionally, Fall River has given our club tax breaks to help us out financially, and local, county and state elected officials routinely donate money to our club to help us fly and support our charity endeavors. We salute and sincerely appreciate the community and officials of Fall River. The Northeast region is very pigeon friendly! Towns surrounding Fall River are similar.

Every year, the Fall River Racing Pigeon Club hosts a New England Family and Friends Get Together for all pigeon flyers, their families and friends. Everyone is invited and it’s free! The food, the beverages, the entertainment, the rides – everything!

For 2007, we’ll have live entertainment with a 50’s and 60’s nostalgic band, a giant water slide, a big bouncer for the kids, a petting zoo, potato sack races and other games with prizes for all. We will have pigeon seminars and testing for aspiring judges, a small pigeon auction, horse and pony rides, face painting, the Bristol County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit demonstrations and child safety fingerpainting.

Additionally, there will be plenty of food and beverages (no alcohol). Giant burgers, foot long hot dogs, native corn on the cob, roasted potatoes, Boston baked beans, barbecued chicken, pasta and potato salads, cakes, cookies, and much, much more to satisfy your summer hunger. Again, it is all free, paid for by our club and our sponsors.

This year, our national AU guests include newly elected AU President, Steve Lawler, Executive Director, Karen Clifton, Master AU Judge, Freddie Rivera, and we anticipate many more ‘well-knowns’ in the pigeon game.

Our pigeon sport is about competition, but it is also about the camaraderie, the connections across America, tradition and memories.

Join us in this tradition and help strengthen the connections, share the friendships and create the memories. While you are in this area, take in some sight-seeing, whale watching, ships at Battleship Cove, great ocean beaches, Victorian museums and homes, like that of Lizzie Borden.

Get a feel for the area that will be hosting the 2009 American Racing Pigeon Union Convention.

In closing, I would like to encourage all members in the Northeast Zone to share their activities with us. Just give me a call and we will feature and help promote them as well.