After a five-year hiatus, pig wrestling is set for a return at the Teton County Fair in 2026, but now county commissioners are reconsidering the event after activists have raised concerns that the tradition could be cruel to the animals.
The event involves challengers scrambling through a muddy pit to try to capture a pig and hoist it into a barrel. Pig wrestling has historically been a staple event at the Teton County Fair, but it has come under scrutiny due to concerns over the treatment of the animals involved.
While the event has been suspended since 2020 when the original organizers retired, county officials are eager to bring it back and have already identified a potential vendor to provide pigs for the event. A staff report issued to the Teton County Board of Commissioners describes the event as “highly requested” and adds that the fair risks “decreased satisfaction and engagement” if pig wrestling remains sidelined.
Bringing the event to the 2026 fair would cost the county an estimated $5,500, according to the report.
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