SWINE SMOOCHES SPAWN SERIOUS SMACKERS

HARRINGTON, DE - August 2, 2004

HARRINGTON, DE - Aug. 2 - Amid the amusement rides, sweet treats, exhibits, and demonstrations, things can get a little silly at the Delaware State Fair. In fact, for the past 12 years, the Delaware State Fair has hosted a “Pig Kissing Contest.” That’s right! Each year, these smooches turn into big smacks. In fact, during the history of this event, nearly $35,000 has been raised and distributed in the form of scholarship awards.

On Governor’s Day, July 29, contestants gathered in Delaware Electric Cooperative's FREE Entertainment Tent … and “Free Entertainment” it was! Participants from local businesses and organizations were all vying for the chance to pucker-up to a pig. Each came carrying milk jugs and piggy banks they had used to collect money for over two months. The team raised $5,250 to be distributed to seven deserving junior exhibitors. The scholarship recipients were chosen based on three criteria: Fair participation (number of years exhibiting, contributions to the Fair, etc.); outside involvement (helping out at school, in their community, and with various organizations); and details outlined in a required essay describing in 200 words or less "what exhibiting means to me".

According to the program chairman, Doug Crouse, who also serves as Kent County Extension 4-H agent, he identifies possible fund-raising candidates each year from the 4-H and F.F.A. organizations as well as other business leaders. For several years now, Bob Souza, Facilities Director for Midway Slots, has been a champion fund-raiser, and pig-kisser. This year, Bob Moore, animal health inspector with the Delaware Department of Agriculture, agreed to participate. In addition, concessionaire "Little Richard" also made a large donation (sans smooching). Crouse added that as an additional incentive, pies were purchased from Tressler's stand earlier that day and enjoyed by participants because as Crouse says, "Every pig wants a sweet kiss."

Each year, Crouse looks for additional volunteers to help raise money. Next year, Tricia Southard, Public Relations and Marketing Director of the Fair has agreed to participate, and Governor Minner joked at the Governor's Dinner on July 29, that Delaware's Secretary of Agriculture, Michael Scuse, should be prompted to participate next year as well.

This year's scholarship recipients and their corresponding colleges include:

Heather Raughley, Harrington, Lenoir Rhyne College; Stefanie Ralph, Felton, University of Delaware; Amber Vanderwende, Greenwood, Wesley College; Cheyanne Pritchard, Harrington, Lynchburg College; Dusti Vanderwende, Greenwood, University of Delaware; Elizabeth Palmer, Wyoming, Delaware State University; and Mallory Dill, Wyoming, Christopher Newport University.

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