This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Utah State Fair, the ultimate local reality show, promises to be big on pigs this year. Besides the opportunity to get up close and personal at the livestock barn with the origin of your porkchop-on-a-stick, the must-see event at the fair is the Ham Bone Express Racing Pig Show.
Charlie Boger and his Arkansas racing pigs have become an entertainment staple at fairs around the country. For the races, he splits the crowd into four cheering sections and his thoroughbreds are released to the sound of a cowbell. The porkers race around a maze for pigdom's ultimate prize, an Oreo. "The losers get the crumbs," Boger says. "Just like in life."
At this year's fair, which opens today, we suggest you down barbecue ribs before taking in the racing pig show.
Tour Utah's home arts 'Louvre!'
From Nativity-scene quilts to a hand-sewn yellow zoot suit and canned chicken breasts, you'll never take domesticity for granted again.
View the comedic talent of sea lions!
The traveling Splash Sea Lion Show will educate Utahns about ocean ecology thanks to these mammals that dance, sing and do handstands.
Experience tractor humor!
Farmer Bob, from a three-generation Iowa farm family, will drive Johnny, "the world's funniest tractor," around the fairgrounds. Johnny hilariously features a mechanical skunk that sprays bystanders.
Rock out with a robotic Osmond!
Dancing, crooning Rock-It the Robot isn't exactly a cyberDonny Osmond, but he has the same mission: "To greet and mingle with as many earthlings as possible."See the grotesque and eat it!
This year's top fair food promises to be deep-fried bacon-wrapped chocolate, but the other 69 food vendors also will tempt you with everything from deep-fried candy bars, cheesecake and PB&J sandwiches to impaled pickles and pork chops and whole pigs roasted over charcoal or barbecued. Notice the theme? Pork is, indeed, the heart of the fair.
Gasp at the political pig race!
Emotions can run especially high during the political pig races run by Charlie Boger, which feature his thoroughbred Arkansas racing pigs. Swine participants have names like Slick Willy, Al Boar, George BushHog and, of course, BaRack-o-Ribs Obama. If people are offended, Boger offers, "Hey, it's just a pig race. It's not the national budget." Racing-pig wife Carol consoles her husband: "If you can make 'em forget their troubles for 20 minutes, you've done a good job." —
Calling all urban cowboys
P The Utah State Fair opens today and runs through Sept. 19 at 155 N. 1000 West, Salt Lake City. For schedule information, visit goutah-state-fair.com. For the music schedule, visitsltrib.com and search for "cowboy crooner."
Today admission is $4; all other days, tickets are $9 ($2 discount tickets available Smith's Food and Drug stores). Kids 5 and under get in free.
Fair focus: Ham Bone Express Racing Pig Show.
Emotions can run especially high during the political pig races run by Charlie Boger, which feature his thoroughbred Arkansas racing pigs. Swine participants have names like Slick Willy — "He's been good for years" — Al Boar, George BushHog and, of course, BaRack-o-Ribs Obama. If people are offended, Boger offers, "Hey, it's just a pig race. It's not the national budget." Racing-pig wife Carol consoles her husband: "If you can make 'em forget their troubles for 20 minutes, you've done a good job."