BEN WHEELER - The Hog Festival here last weekend drew more than 7,500 people, officials said, exceeding last year's attendance by at least 2,000.

"Making light of a tough situation facing communities with feral hog problems was the impetus behind the idea of the festival," Brooks Gremmels said. "But, in order for an idea like this to come to fruition, you have to have community support behind you - and the town of Ben Wheeler has that in great abundance."

Gremmels owns Ben Wheeler Development Company, which leads a multimillion dollar effort to redevelop the Van Zandt County town.

The Hog Festival kicked off Friday night with the Fall Feral hog follies, hog queen pageant, and wild hog ball to a standing-room-only crowd at Moore's Store.

Stacey Gilchrist was crowned the 2009 queen. Alisa Young was the runner up. Each contestant presented a talent during the competition and was also judged on her interpretation of the "Born to Be Wild" theme.

But it was Gilchrist's representation and her performance of "Crazy" by Patsy Cline that clinched the competition.

A parade started Saturday's festivities, followed by Gilchrist's crowning and the wild hog championship cookoff.

Twenty-three hog cook-off teams competed for the $800 grand prize and a Dan Harrison custom knife. First place went to "Boar Busters" led by head cook Mikey Derrick Jr.

"Wild Hog Preferred," led by Hank Young, took home the second-place prize of $500 and a Dan Harrison knife. Third place went to "Team Swineheuse," led by John David Crow, winning $350 and a Dan Harrison knife.

A $250 prize went to "Killin' & Grillin," led by Curtis Harris, for Best Team Showmanship, while "Just Barbeque," headed by Joe Garza, won $100 for Best Beans.

Cook-Off teams weren't the only participants competing during the day. Twenty-six parade participants marched through downtown and some vied for a chance to win the first-place prize of $500, second-place prize of $300, and third-place prize of $250 for Best Parade Float.

Business Above & Beyond Paint & Body captured first place. Second place went to the justice of the peace's Feral Court. Rounding out the competition was First State Bank of Ben Wheeler.

Gremmels said the festival wouldn't have been realized without community volunteers, local and regional media outlets, Ben Wheeler Arts & Historic District Foundation tenants, businesses and residents.

"To everyone who attended, participated and helped us spread the word about this event and our efforts in reclaiming and redeveloping our town, we can't thank you enough."
Courtesy Photos