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2010 Fair attraction: Pigs that race for Oreos
(by Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor - February 01, 2010)
Last year, the Madison County Senior Fair Board added a hypnotist to its entertainment lineup to appeal to teens and adults. This year, they’re adding pig races, a petting zoo, camel rides and live fishing to appeal to even more visitors. All of the events will be free with admission to the fair.
Animal Enterprises out of Kentucky is providing all but the live fishing. Fair board representatives discovered the company at the annual Fair Managers Convention in Columbus in early January.
“I’ve always thought it would be neat to have pig races. We finally found a company that was affordable and relatively close by,” said Brenda Roseberry, fair board treasurer.
Animal Enterprises will bring in the pigs, starting gate, and barriers to create a track near the horse barn on the fairgrounds. Each pig will be numbered. Spectators will be assigned a pig for which to cheer.
Roseberry said the tentative schedule calls for four shows a day, Monday through Saturday of fair week. Each show includes four races, pig humor, and pig-themed music. Some of the outfit’s top racers are Shania Swine, Squeally Nelson and Kermit the Hog.
“One interesting thing we learned is that the pigs race for Oreos. I guess they love them,” Roseberry said.
Between races, Animal Enterprises will operate a petting zoo in the center of the track. Most of the animals will be small in size so that small children can interact with them. Possibilities include pygmy goats, miniature donkeys, a tortoise and more. The company also offers rides on a full-size camel.
First Bite Fishing Tanks out of North Bloomfield, Ohio, will provide the tank fishing attraction. The company’s mission is to help people learn how to handle different species of fish and return them safely to the water. Participants also learn how to handle different species of live bait for more success while fishing.
The company brings in a giant fishing tank (20x7 feet or 24x7 feet), along with a fish transportation tank. Local volunteers and a company rep help young and old fishermen bait hooks, get their lines in the water, and unhook the fish for release back into the tank. Fair organizers hope to recruit Boy Scouts as volunteers.
“People don’t take their kids fishing all that much anymore. These guys came up with this idea of a big portable tank to introduce people to fishing again,” Roseberry said.
When fair week is over, First Bite offers up its fish for sale to local pond owners.
The 2010 Madison County Fair will take place July 10-17. For more information, go to www.madisoncountyfairoh.com.
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