Bay City Pig Gig

Annual event brings in the crowds

August 2, 2002
By: Stephen Kent

In a summer full of river front events, the Labadie Pig Gig is always a favorite for anyone who like great food and loads of fun on the river in downtown Bay City.

With over a dozen professional outfits cooking ribs, the food is the obvious attraction. But there are many other activities for everyone. Many local charity and community organizations had booths and activities. The literacy Council sponsored a "Book Giva-a-way Pottery Lottery & 50/50". The "Santa House" provided games and soldpiggy banks. Studio 23 did "Paint the Pig @ the Gig". Other events included personal watercraft (jet ski) demonstrations on the river, the White Pines Lumberjack show, and a number of musical performances on the main stage.

One of the most popular events on Friday afternoon was "Robinson's Racing Pigs". A large crowd gathered in the grandstand and around the race track to watch Robinson's pigs race around a course and even leap into a long water tank for swimming races. The races were sponsored by, and benefited, the East Shoreline Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Friday was set aside for a "Celebrity Cook-Off" featuring numerous local celibs including Jerry O'Donnel (WGER), Art Lewis & Sue Smith (WSGW), Demas in the Morning &Lacey (WIOG), JT (Wheelz), The Poor Boy & Lynn Roberts (Z93), Courtney Chamberlain (TV-12), Bud Ford & Jody K (The Moose), Pati Lalonde & Dave Vizard (Bay City Times), Josh & Holly (100.5 The Fox), Mob Martin (Review Magazine), Eric Jylha, Greg Favaro & Darrin Bradley (TV-5).

There were, of course, many popular acrivities for kids such as face painting, radio controlled car racing, and rock climbing. For the braver there was a mechanical bull to ride and a jalapeno eating contest. On the calmer side there was a baby animal display and a watermelon seed spitting contest.

A very popular stop was the Bay City Police Department's photo ID booth. Shown in the picture to the left, Officer Eric Berg makes an ID card for Stephanie Topping.

The event runs from Thursday, August 1 through Sunday August 4. Each day isfull of events from noon until mid-night. Scheduled evening entertainment includes The Turtles on Friday, Tone Loc on Saturday, and B.J. Thomas on Sunday.