"And this little piggy stayed home" takes on a new meaning as the Senior Fair Board on Thursday
voted unanimously to suspend the annual "Catch a Pig" event for the 2014 Wood County Fair.
The popular event with youngsters getting muddy as they scramble to grab piglets then raise them, has
fallen victim to the deadly pig virus which is sweeping through the country. Millions of newborn pigs
have died since the virus was first reported last May.
The Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus, also known as PEDV, is not only spreading through the United States,
but is also mutating, making treatment or cures unlikely in the near future.
Board member Tim Johnson said he was unable to get commitments from breeders for price or pigs.
"The best price I have is $120 (each) and that was not guaranteed," Johnson said. "Nobody
is giving me a happy report."
Board member Steve Speck added that by fair time, the cost could be $150 or more.
In recent years the cost has averaged around $80 per pig with the highest previous cost being $90. Last
year the pigs were $85.
The pigs are donated by various people and organizations annually and billed at the best price which the
fair board can negotiate. There are safety concerns, too, board members said. Because of the dangers of
spreading PEDV, there would be logistical headaches for the board and the families which would be taking
the pigs back to their barns and farms.
Event chairman Deanne Corken made the motion to not hold the event this year.
"It’s a shame after all these years to end it," Corken told the Sentinel. "Given the
situation, it’s in the best interest of the kids that we are protecting the swine and not contributing
to the problem."
Her concern also extends to the sponsors who have supported the event so they are not hit with a huge
cost in August.
Because forecasts are not good, the board is not confident as to how long the event will not be held.
Speck said, "They say the virus might be active for years."
"We have to pay market price at the time of the fair. We’re not guaranteed pigs or prices,"
Corken said. "Without any guarantees it’s the best choice at this point."
As for the other swine which will be shown at the fair, there is not any expected issues, mainly because
it’s a terminal show. In other words, the animals shown at the fair will leave the fair for slaughter –
they will not return to the farm where sows could be infected.
The virus does not pose any serious threat to adult hogs, other animals nor humans. The most severe issue
for people will be the sticker shock for pork products at the grocery or market.
At Thursday’s meeting, board members discussed the surprising 25 percent rise in the base demand price of
its electric bill. The board is also looking at ways to more equitably bill vendors and concessionaires
for their electric usage. The board is currently preparing contracts for the 2015 fair and want to be
sure a concessionaire which has multiple pieces of electrical equipment operating during the fair in
their trailer is paying an appropriate share of the electric charges compared to someone with a tent and
"one light bulb" as mentioned by many board members.
Also at the meeting, the board:
• Approved $6,500 to put new overhead doors at both ends of both the Draft Horse barn and the
rabbit/poultry barn. The cost also includes paint and primer.
• In light of some recent vandalism, approved purchasing and installing two security cameras for $850.

• Learned tickets for the fair’s monster truck show are now on sale.
• Stressed the need to enforce the fair’s rules regarding protests. Members were reminded and urged not
to discuss any matters regarding possible protests unless someone follows the procedure including paying
the appropriate fee.