FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 2, 2009

CONTACT:     Dennis Cook, owner
Circle C Petting Farm and Hogway Speedway
(828) 291-2681

Matt Buchanan, fair manager
N.C. Mountain State Fair
(828) 687-1414; matt.buchanan@ncagr.gov

Racing pigs keep Newton man on his hooves at Mountain State Fair

FLETCHER – In his Newton home right outside of the NASCAR capitol of the South, Dennis Cook enjoys the spectacular crashes, close finishes and fierce competition of the daring sport. Unlike most fans, however, Cook’s favorite racers are pink and curly tailed, and go by the names Hoggy Stewart, Pretty Boy Piggy Gordon and Squealin’ Earnhardt Jr.

Cook owns Hogway Speedway, a traveling family of 12 racing pigs, four racing ducks and four racing goats that entertains crowds one lap at a time. Cook and his team finish up their annual fair and festival circuit at the beginning of November, when they turn their attention to live nativity scenes during the Christmas season.

“We’re always on the road and my wife fusses at me for it, but I sure do enjoy my work,” Cook said. “I love my animals, enjoy the people and just can’t wait to make people smile.”

For 10 of the 22 years he’s toured with the racing animals, Cook has worked for smiles and “Suey!” pig calls at Fletcher’s N.C. Mountain State Fair.
“Fair visitors always enjoy how interactive and entertaining Dennis and his team are, because they really pour their entire personalities into each and every show,” said Matt Buchanan, manager of the Mountain State Fair. “The Hogway Speedway has been here for the last 10 years, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”

The Hogway Speedway, sponsored by Texas Pete, will be located right off the Midway near entrance B. Multiple shows will occur daily at the Hogway Speedway, beginning at 11:00 a.m. on weekends and at 4:00 p.m. on week days. The pigs, ducks and goats take turns around the race track, but of all the animals, Cook says the racing goats require the most crowd participation to get them around the track.
“We sure need some hard-headed, stubborn people to come out and cheer on those goats around the race track,” Cook said.
The NC Mountain State Fair will be held this year from September 11th through the 20th at the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher. To learn more about the 2009 NC Mountain State Fair, visit www.mountainfair.org or call 828-687-1414.

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