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San Mateo County Fair

28th August 2004, lunch time | Comments (21)

San Mateo County Fair

Last weekend The Girlfriend and I decided to get out the city and do something different. We scanned sfgate.com and saw that the San Mateo County Fair was on, and since San Mateo is an easy drive away, thought we’d check it out.

A few clicks took us to www.SanMateoCountyFair.com where we brought up the day’s schedule.

Here are some highlights from that listing:

All these events, however, paled into insignificance besides the highlight of the day: All Alaskan Racing Pigs.

We weren’t quite sure why they had to be Alaskan, or even if they were Alaskan (how can you tell?), but the show was excellent. Four little piggies at a time being released from their starting gates, racing around a short course, jumping two hurdles, and finally reaching a food trough. First past the line, won, and was taken away to race again. The others were allowed to eat their fill before being rested for the next show.

Here’s one action-packed race for you:

Racing pigs
Racing pigs
Racing pigs
Racing pigs
Racing pigs
Racing pigs
Racing pigs
Racing pigs
Racing pigs
Racing pigs

Oink Oink.

(P.S. If you’re an adult and All Alaskan Racing Pigs don’t do it for you, then I wouldn’t suggest going to San Mateo County Fair next year; the rest of the events and stalls were pretty poor.)

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Comments (21)

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  1. Darice De Cuba:

    A pig race is always interesting to see once. I always wanted to see a rodeo show, but first I have go to the US for that. Nice photo also, like always :-)

    Posted 27 minutes after the fact
  2. Scott:

    Awww, Those little piggys are cute.

    I'm glad you had a good time, Dunstan.

    Posted 52 minutes after the fact
  3. Chuckg:

    I went last year and they didn't have the racing pigs. It was just pigs and smell. No fair.

    Posted 1 hour, 2 minutes after the fact
  4. Ben:

    Pigs

    Posted 3 hours, 8 minutes after the fact
  5. Rob Mientjes:

    Good you tell us - I almost planned a trip to San Fran including a visit to the fair.

    Posted 3 hours, 20 minutes after the fact
  6. Ryan:

    Great action shots! I love the clarity; one can even see the stuff flying in the air.

    Posted 3 hours, 33 minutes after the fact
  7. [m]:

    haha. :D Pinky goodness.

    (even the speling class is funny)

    Posted 4 hours, 39 minutes after the fact
  8. DarkCryst:

    Well if you like that you can have something to do in september! Godzilla (the original japanese cut, not the crappy US cut) is coming to SF! :)

    http://www.rialtopictures.com/godzilla.html

    See the tour dates above. Wish I was there, but sadly I will be SF over crimbo and new year.

    Posted 6 hours, 38 minutes after the fact
  9. Shade:

    Here in Calgary, we have something called the Calgary Stampede - the self-proclaimed "world's largest outdoor rodeo"

    ... This San Mateo County Fair looks like so much more fun.

    -Shade

    Posted 8 hours, 36 minutes after the fact
  10. Sophie:

    This seems to be similar to the Royal Sydney Easter Show we attended this year.
    Shame we missed the piggies race, but we saw the dog beauty contest (there's fun in watching the very dignified dog owners), the cakes and preserves and sugar cakes contest winners on display, the vegetable arrangements (huge 10*3m 'vegetable paintings' including prize-winning giant pumpkins), and so on...

    Posted 12 hours, 45 minutes after the fact
    Inspired: ↓ Kitta
  11. Kitta:

    I wonder if the pig races will make an appearance at the Perth Royal Show this year? I haven't been in over 4 years, I really should go this year.

    Posted 17 hours, 50 minutes after the fact
    Inspired by: ↑ Sophie
  12. Kitta:

    Rumour has it that the Knife Sharpeners aren't fond of the Lace Making Demonstrators. Drop in on Robin, the science wizard, is not amused and the Bonsai Demonstrators would prefer not to comment.

    Posted 18 hours, 1 minute after the fact
  13. Chad:

    Ahhh, county fairs, a good ole' slice of Americana there for ya Dunstan my boy. Just went to our county fair on Thursday, our boy loved all of the animals. Our neighbors even had some sheep and goats entered in showings. There truly is no other place see a more entertaining mix of people than at a county fair. And then there's the carnies. Rule number one: NEVER make eye contact with the carnies, they'll suck you into whatever it is they're peddling.

    Posted 1 day, 6 hours after the fact
  14. Ms. Jen:

    I think they are really the All-Californian racing pigs, as they are at the Orange County Fair every July for three weeks. Looks like the same set of pigs from a few weeks ago...

    My faves are the 6 week olds.

    Dunstan, glad to have you back in the state.

    smiles, jen ;o)

    Posted 1 day, 21 hours after the fact
  15. Jason:

    that is the best post ever on the internet.

    Posted 1 week, 4 days after the fact
  16. Dan Harris:

    Pigs from Alaska???? Is it possible it said Arkansas Pig Racing? I left the bay area 10 years ago but when I used to go to the Alameda County Fair they had Arkansas Pig Racing. You know (or maybe not) Arkansas Razorbacks, Dogpatch, hillbillies, etc. Regardless, nice pictures. Dan, Sheridan Arkansas D'oh!

    Posted 1 week, 4 days after the fact
  17. B. Durbin:

    Next year, book a little extra time and go to the State Fair in Sacramento. It's got a lot of cool things (like winners from all the county fairs) AND it also has the racing pigs!

    (I regret I was unable to attend this year, but hey! next year!)

    Posted 1 week, 4 days after the fact
  18. Coastygirl:

    I've seen those pig races, at yes, a state fair. They have this kid announcer for some of the races. Pig racing is surprisingly entertaining, for a city girl.

    Posted 1 week, 4 days after the fact
  19. Mark In Cedar Rapids, Iowa:

    Came over from instapundit.

    Heck! even the iowa state fair doesn't have pig racing.
    nice picture.

    Posted 1 week, 5 days after the fact
  20. Jeník, Czech Republic:

    Another great reason why to visit your country! Excellent

    Posted 9 months, 2 weeks after the fact
  21. NANCY:

    DEAR DUNSTAN I AM A REAL BEGINNER AT INTERNET ETC I HAVE BEEN RACING PIGS AT THE FAYETTE COUNTY FAIR IN UNIONTOWN PENNSYLVANIA FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS WITH THE HELP OF THE FAIR BOARD AND MANY VOLUNTEERS I ENJOYED ALL THE COMMENTS I READ ON YOUR PAGE AND MY COMMENT IS I LOVE IT SO MUCH AND I SUCCESSFULLY FOUND A EXCELLANT REPLACEMENT A VERY CAPABLE YOUNG GIRL SO I AM PROUD TO SAY WE WILL CONTINUE HAVING PIG RACES AT THE FAYETTE COUNTY FAIR. MY ROLL MODEL IN PIG RACING WAS CARLOTTA ROBINSON OF ROBINSONS RACINC PIGS AND BOB HALE RACING PIGS SO GOOD LUCK TO ALL NANCY

    Posted 1 year, 5 months after the fact

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