BEN WHEELER - This place has gone hog wild.

Literally.

The resurrected south Van Zandt County town has been recognized by the Texas Legislature as official home of the feral hog.

"We want to make lemonade out of lemons," Brooks Gremmels 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."

Gremmels owns Ben Wheeler Development Company, which is spearheading a multi-milliondollar effort to redevelop the unincorporated town.

Texas Rep. Dan Flynn was scheduled to read the proclamation on Tuesday at Moore's Store, a family restaurant + Gremmels opened in September.

"Whereas, Ben Wheeler's efforts to honor feral hogs and its proximity to the fertile habitats where they roam have given the community a special relationship with this distinctive animal, and this status is indeed deserving of special recognition," a part of House Resolution 1900 says. "Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas Legislature hereby recognize the feral hog as the mascot of the town of Ben Wheeler."

Feral hogs are a large problem in Van Zandt County and across Texas, with an estimated 2 million - half of the continent's total population - in the state. They eat plants and animals, but can disrupt 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 whitetailed deer as the most popular animal to hunt.

It's within this spirit Gremmels started the Fall Feral Hog Festival last October.

This year, the event is set to kick off Oct. 23, at 7 p.m., with the Fall feral hog follies, hog queen pageant, and wild hog ball at Moore's Store.

The next day, at 10 a.m., a parade will start the festivities with presentation of the 2009 hog queen and her court. The wild hog championship cook-off follows at 11. Ten pre-selected contestants will compete for Krista Bump's crown on a stage before a panel of judges, where they will be scrutinized on the talents they perform and the attire they wear.

Props, costumes, special clothing and makeup reflecting the "Born to Be Wild" theme will be part of the judging considerations.

Musical guest Stanley Nardo Stanley is scheduled to perform, and cook-off prize categories include best team showmanship, best beans and best wild hog meat, the grand prize category.

Live music, family activities for all ages, and exhibits, games, contests, and concessions will be part of the weekend.

Last year's first annual event drew more than 5,000 attendees from in and around East Texas.

Visit benwheelertx.com to enter the cook-off or parade, or call 903-833-1070.