Pig wrestling replaced with ranch rodeo

The Hot Springs County Fair, which occurs from July 30 to August 5 at the fairgrounds, will not have pig wrestling this year.

Cassie Owsley, FFA Alumni President, said, “Ron and Donna Dalin of Double D Livestock LLC said the main reason they were unable to have and host pig wrestling this year is because the people that they have bought pigs from in the past have gone out of business. They said it is cheaper for them to go and buy pigs or pork meat than it is for them to raise them now with the price of feed and increased corn costs.” 

Owsley added, “Dalin’s have been in the pig business for 30+ years. They quit raising their own pigs and began buying them from other producers until this year when they were unable to find enough pigs to fulfill the needs for the pig wrestling. They have decided to start raising their own pigs again so they can ensure their business and run pig wrestling in the future.”

Therefore, Owsley said there will be a ranch rodeo instead. She continued and said, “the ranch rodeo has actually been something that’s been held in Thermopolis for a long time, and it’s usually run by the Lions Club. It’s kind of been their annual fundraiser, but since we didn’t hear of them doing it at all this year, we decided it might help get some more people involved from the community to come out to the fair because that’s really the whole purpose of the FFA alumni. What we do is we just try to encourage involvement and get other people within the community. This year for the ranch rodeo, we’re going to run up to ten teams for the ranch rodeo.”

The ranch rodeo events include: team doctoring, wild cow milking trailer, loading trailer, slicker racing, wild cow riding, hide racing, and mutton busting for kids, cash calf scramble. 

There is a $300 fee per team entry. There will be cash prizes and other prizes as well. Also, the county fair will have vendors such as food trucks and others. The ranch rodeo itself will be Tuesday, August 2 at 6 p.m. at the fairgrounds. Tickets for spectators are $5 for adults and $1 for children, five years old and under. Tickets can be purchased at the gate. 

Owsley also said that the FFA Alumni is active to support local kids, ag kids, for things like scholarships, travel expenses and FFA trips.

Not only are they doing the ranch rodeo, but Owsley said, “We are also raffling off a four-wheeler during the county fair. If anybody’s interested in raffle tickets, they can reach out to any FFA student or FFA alumni member.” The raffle tickets are $20 each or $100 for six tickets. The winner will be announced at the county fair.