Greased pig and Hog Calling contests cancelled

By Justin Peeper
The greased pig contest that was set to take place following
opening-night awards and presentations at the 4-H Fair this weekend has
been canceled.
The contest, which began at last year’s fair, was scheduled for 8 p.m.
Saturday, but officials were forced to call it off, organizer Mike
Moriarity told The News-Banner late Tuesday night.
The contest served as a fund-raising event for the Fraternal Order of
Firefighters, and they used the profits to help fund scholarships for
Wells County students.
Organizers cited two reasons for canceling this summer’s competition.
First, they said not enough people had pre-registered. Second, they
indicated a problem securing pigs for Saturday night because of a
contract issue with the farmers who were going to supply the pigs.
It was unclear Tuesday night if the greased pig contest would be on the
county fair schedule for next year, Moriarity said.
About 102 people — children and teens — participated in last year’s
contest.
County fair officials have also decided to cancel the hog calling contest
that had been scheduled for Saturday night.
Organizers called off the 7:30 p.m. competition this morning after they
learned that Saturday’s 8 p.m. greased pig contest had been canceled, as
reported on Page 1 of today’s News-Banner.
This year would have been the first for a hog calling contest at the
county fair.