HOGSATIONAL fun at Hawthorne Hogfest

Seven-year-old Cameron Pedro reacts with excitement after winning the pig chasing contest at Saturday’s Hawthorne Hogfest.  Pedro and 7-year-old Jacob Upshaw captured the 7 to 8-year old division in a tag team effort.

The smoke wafting from barbeque pits blended with the dust from the back road, both adding to the haze of a sticky-hot Florida Saturday in Hawthorne.

The annual Hogfest had begun.

On Oct. 9 visitors of Hogfest tried to escape the heat by mingling under the trees and one pavilion at the festival. After the hottest hours, however, music and a lively atmosphere coaxed visitors to enjoy all Hogfest had to offer.

According to Heather Surrency, the mastermind behind the event, seven food booths, 35 craft/vendor booths and several inflatable bounce houses and mazes were at the fair. Music was also provided and local talent could perform for the nearly 1000 people who attended the event.

Surrency was elated by the event’s attendance, which she says gets bigger and bigger every year.  She hopes this will help Hawthorne’s image.

“Hogfest gives Hawthorne exposure; it gives Hawthorne a name,” Surrency said.

Hogfest started seven years ago as a barbeque cook-off, but has evolved into today’s community get together and fundraiser which contributes to the city’s recreation funds. These funds help provide scholarships to student athletes as well as contributing money for equipment for those who cannot afford to buy their own.

This year Surrency estimated that the event raised $2,500. This year’s money will help purchase soccer goals, which are needed for a planned soccer tournament to be held in the same area on Nov. 6.  

The two main events of the festival are hands-down the hog calling contest and the hog chasing contest. Both events are for the children.

The hog calling contest consists of children going up on stage and offering their best oink, snort or ‘Su—ey’ sound. This year Destiny Dunaway, 11, won the contest.

Surrency said that in the past they have had run-ins with protestors about the hog chasing event, but she says protestors are more than welcome to come and give their opinion, as long as they stay civil.

“We just kill them with kindness,” Surrency said.

This year, however, no protestors were visible at the event.

That’s just fine with the man, known as Cowboy Eddie, who provides the hogs for the event.

Cowboy Eddie is a classic character, from his cowboy hat to his dusty jeans with a permanent Skoal ring in his back pocket, down to his boots.

Eddie thinks the hog chasing contest is a great experience for the children.

“Most of these kids have never seen a hog before or pig before,” Eddie said. “It’s pretty cool that they get to experience what a real pig looks like.”

As far as past protests, Eddie pointed out that the hogs don’t really get hurt during the hog chase. The 58- year-old said that since he was a young boy they’ve been running pigs, and that it is a tradition in much of the country.

“It doesn’t hurt anything, anybody or the pigs for them to come out here,” Eddie said.

The hog chase is split into three age groups: 5 to 7 year-olds, 8 to 9 year-olds and 10 to 12 year-olds.

Cowboy Eddie and his assistant grabbed the pigs out of the truck, and let them loose in an enclosed field. Then, unless one wants to be stampeded, it is wise to simply get out of the way.

A throng of children ran at the pig, faces twisted in concentration, frustration and exhilaration. Some dove for the pigs, others tried to maneuver in front, and finally someone managed to grab the startled animal.

Eddie hoisted the pig away from the children then and puts it back in his truck. He says when the hogs go home they’ll be given food, water and then they’ll sleep.

Cameron Pedro, 7, and Jacob Upshaw, 7, won their division of the hog chase in a tag team effort. Pedro and Upshaw said it’s all about the technique.

“You have to find out where the hog is going and find the shortcut of it,” Cameron said.

Jacob interrupts with his technique.

“Grab its legs!” Jacob said.

The other winners included 9-year-old Trevor Okrasinski, of the 8 to 9 year-old division and 12-year-old Conner Henry, in the 10 to 12 year-old division.

The smiling faces, barbeque stained and breaking into song now and then, are evidence that the event was a success. The true test, however, comes from the children. Jacob not-so-solemnly gives his verdict.

“It’s just plain fun!”