When the Mid-East Tennessee Regional Fair opens Tuesday in Athens, Tenn., it will offer an enticing blend of the traditional (crops and crafts judging) spiced with the new (mud wrestling).
Then there is the returning crowd favorite that is quickly become a fair tradition: pig racing.
“The pigs will put on a 30-minute show three times each day,” said Kim Womac, volunteer manager of the fair.
“The pigs are trained to run the oval racetrack. They train them with Oreo cookies. All the pigs have names, and each wears a racing blanket. It’s a fun show that is educational as well.”
Womac said this is the 17th annual fair. It is entirely run by 50 volunteers. The midway rides are brought in by Dixieland Carnival Co.