Ben Wheeler Named Hog Capital Of Texas

BEN WHEELER—Ben Wheeler will be recognized statewide as the "Wild Hog Capital of Texas."

The official proclamation will be given by Texas State Representative, Dan Flynn of District 2 on Tuesday, September 29, at 11 a.m. at Moore’s Store in downtown Ben Wheeler.

Ben Wheeler Development Company applied for the designation at the beginning of the year.

Feral (wild) hogs are a large problem in Van Zandt County and much of Texas, and North America with an estimated two million – half of the continent’s total population – in the state.

Additionally, the omnivores – they eat plants and other animals – are a multi-million-dollar problem because they can disrupt both livestock and farming operations by damaging facilities and fences, and trampling and eating crops. They also are popular table fare and, in some areas, compete with the white-tailed deer as the most popular animal to hunt.

Since wild hogs are such a problem in our community and elsewhere; residents will probably wonder why Ben Wheeler Development Company would have requested the official title. The answer is simple, according to Brooks Gremmels, Ben Wheeler Development Company owner and co-founder of Ben Wheeler Arts & Historic District Foundation.

"We want to make lemonade out of lemons," he said. "We don’t have any more wild hogs than our neighbors, but it’s our ambition to have fun in our community and this is just another opportunity to do so. Especially at a point in time when things are difficult… so we need to be able to lighten up and laugh at ourselves."

It’s also within this spirit that Gremmels came up with the Fall Feral Hog Festival, which debuted last year complete with a Hog Queen Pageant and Wild Hog cook off – all of which is being brought back this year on Friday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24.

Festivities begin, Friday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. with the Fall Feral Hog Follies, Hog Queen Pageant and Wild Hog Ball at Moore’s Store, downtown. During this evening of fun, the 2008 Hog Queen, Krista Bump will pass down her crown to one of 10 pre-selected contestants competing for this year’s reign.

The winner will be decided after the contestants perform a talent during the first-ever Fall Feral Hog Follies before a panel of judges. The winner will be crowned before the end of the evening and presented along with her court at the Hog Festival the following morning at 11 a.m.

Hog queen candidates will be judged on stage in attire appropriate to the event and season. Props, costumes, special clothing and makeup reflecting the "Born to Be Wild" theme will be part of the judging considerations for the crown.

Musical guest Stanley Nardo Stanley will help rein in the evening’s fun and carry the night into the Hog Ball.

The main event takes place Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ben Wheeler Festival Grounds kicked-off by a 10 a.m. parade, 11 a.m. presentation of the 2009 Hog Queen and her Court, and noon judging for the Wild Hog Championship Cook-Off.

Cook-off prize categories include Best Team Showmanship, Best Beans and the Grand Prize category Best Wild Hog Meat.

Cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place parade floats will also be up for grabs and decided by three Ben Wheeler Arts & Historic District tenant judges.

The day also includes live music, family-friendly activities for all ages, exhibits, games, contests, and concessions.

Cook-off contestants and parade participants are still needed. If interested in participating, visit benwheelertx.com for more information or call (903) 833-1070.

Last year’s first annual event drew more than 5,000 attendees from in and around East Texas, making the Hog Festival a great success.