LaSall County Fair and Wild Hog Cook-Off

The second weekend in March each year is the time set aside for the LaSalle County Fair and Wild Hog Cook-off. If you can imagine the normal county fair with its normal “fair/carnival” attractions, 4H or FFA livestock shows, arts and cooking contest you will have an idea of what this weekend was to this county. Well almost; you will need to triple what you have experienced. It was a fun packed, hard working weekend.
We started Thursday night with the official opening honoring Mrs. Brenda Talbert and her late husband Lane. It was a fitting ceremony. That was followed by many of the counties youngsters parading their pets for judging. These consisted of Basset Hounds dressed up as hotdogs to Border Collies who performed acts to a caged wild pig (baby) dressed in prison stripes. Then the Little Mr. and Mrs. Wild Hog were chosen along with the Fair’s Princess.
Friday I started my day judging the Middle School entries into the various food categories. That is harder than you would think! After eating so many “bites” of chocolate chip cookies or banana-nut bread everything starts tasting the same. But we prevailed! The evening was capped off with the “livestock” show. Chickens, Pigs, Goats and Cattle were all paraded, handled and shown with all the practice of a Mrs. America pageant (with as much college money involved) by youngsters from nine to sixteen years old. I said they were paraded and handled but I would have to admit the pig contest was just controlled confusion. If you have ever tried to “lead” a pig you will understand. You suggest and persuade a pig, you do not lead! Congratulations to all of the entrants who actually took care of by feeding and cleaning and “taming” their own animals! Many of you will know what I mean by that statement!
Saturday was our big day as we secured 35 cases of water to give out during the first “full” day of the fair. In years past the hot dry South Texas weather created a natural thirst and the “Cup of Cool Water” booth was a popular stop for fair-goers. However, this year it was cool and wet as we had rain most of the day. We only gave out 190 (plus or minus) bottles of water instead of the expected 1120. But we still had fun.
With the rain and mist keeping the air heavy the smoke from more than the two hundred “cookers” kept us hungry all day. It was fun to walk through the rows of teams vying for the “Grand Champion” feast of their particular category. What do you do with that much Smoked Hog, BBQ Ribs, special recipe Sausage and even some “exotic” dishes? YOU HAVE A HUGE ALL YOU CAN EAT TAIL GATE PARTY! Just walk up to a crew and say “What do you have?” and they will all proudly give you their special and immediately say it didn’t come out just right because of the rain, or the wind, or the barometric pressure or the . . . But it is generally pretty good.
Sunday morning of course was regular church services (although we had two baptisms this Sunday) and then off to the fair grounds for the “cowboy church” and the Ranch Rodeo.
I am sure you are just about tired of reading for now so I will post again on the Rodeo. To “whet your appetite” though I will use a phrase that I heard someone say. . . It was a hoot!