Posted 1:07 am Friday, August 20, 2010
Feral Hog Events Make Light Of Major Nuisance
"All we're trying to do is make lemonade out of lemons."
By MELISSA CROWE
Staff Writer
BEN WHEELER -- Moore's Store overflowed Friday afternoon with the kind of laughter that only can be followed by hearty snorts and squeals.
Staff Writer
BEN WHEELER -- Moore's Store overflowed Friday afternoon with the kind of laughter that only can be followed by hearty snorts and squeals.
East Texans gathered at the restaurant and music venue to celebrate the kick-off of the third annual Fall Feral Hog Festival, World Championship Wild Hog Cook-Off & Fall Feral Follies. This year's theme is Hog Hev'n.
ABOVE: A wood statue of a feral hog eating a Prickly Pear Cactus sits on the counter at Moore’s Store as people line up for lunch during the Feral Hog Festival. --Staff Photo By Jaime R. Carrero
"All we're trying to do is make lemonade out of lemons," said Brooks Gremmels, an entrepreneur who has revitalized the small, unincorporated community.
While wearing a plastic, red hog helmet, Gremmels grinned and said the festival is a chance for East Texans to cut loose and be silly -- "to be a kid again."
He and area residents say those 400 pound, whiskered and grizzled feral hogs are becoming a problem.
"They tear up the land and they're such a nuisance," Gremmels said.
Feral hogs disrupt livestock and farming operations by damaging facilities and fences, and tramping and eating crops. Rather than curse their existence, residents poke fun at the growing population of hogs with a season of "feral hog follies."
ABOVE: A feral hog’s head adorns the wall at Moore’s Store in Ben Wheeler. -- Staff Photo By Jaime R. Carrero.
The festival includes a morning parade, an afternoon cook-off and a follies show Friday night, with music and a Hog Queen pageant, before the festival.
"This is my hometown and the festival really brings the community together," said Stacey Gilchrist, the reigning Hog Queen. "It's pretty cool because I grew up here -- I lived here when there was nothing."
Men, as well as women, are invited to compete for the prestigious Hog Queen title. However, applicants must demonstrate some talent and convince the judges they are qualified to be the Hog Queen.
Last year, Ms. Gilchrist dressed up as Miss Piggy, complete with a blonde wig and evening gown.
She sang "Crazy" by Patsy Cline to a Kermit the Frog cutout.
"You have to loosen up and let your hair down," she said.
While the hog theme is rather unconventional, she said since there are so many in the county, it is a good fit.
"They're everywhere," she said. "There are probably 15,000 feral hogs in this area."
According to information from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas has an estimated population in excess of 1.5 million feral hogs with the largest populations in East, South and Central Texas.
This year's hog festival starts with the Hog Queen Pageant and a live music performance from the Stanley, Nardo, Stanley band at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 22 at Moore's Store.
The parade, festival and cook-off start 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, and there will be live music at Pickin' Porch throughout the day.
Last year, the parade had 21 floats and Gremmels expects that number to increase.
Judy Lewis, who lives in Canton but works in Ben Wheeler, was on the winning parade team last year.
Her team -- from Above and Beyond Mobility and Above and Beyond Paint and Body -- themed their float "Groovy Hogs."
"Everybody was wearing pig noses and having fun and being silly," she said. "I think it'll be a lot bigger this year."
Judging for the World Championship Wild Hog Cook-Off starts at noon Saturday. Prizes include $600 for first, $350 for second, $200 for third, $200 for best showmanship and $100 for best beans.
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department information, "meat from feral hogs is extremely tasty and much leaner than pen-raised pork."
The department said feral hogs should be prepared just like market hogs -- "the slower the meat is cooked, the more tender and tasty it becomes."
The fun continues Saturday night with a festival-closing performance by Zydeco Stingrays at 7 p.m. at Moore's Store.
Entry forms and rules and regulations are available on the community's website, benwheelertx.com.
