ABOVE: Racing pigs are coming to Fairmont this coming Saturday for Imagine Martin’s Swine Derby. Photo courtesy of Hendrick’s Racing Pigs

FAIRMONT– Imagine Martin is bringing pig races to Fairmont this coming Saturday.

Board Chair Jeff Rouse said the local arts non-profit has been told multiple times by people in the community that they would like to see more events and activities.

“We thought we could help with this,” Rouse said. “Our board came together and brainstormed some ideas.”

One of the ideas was Art Mart, which kicked off on May 8 and will run every other Thursday through September. Another idea was the pig races.

“I personally knew a gentleman that does pig races all through the Midwest so I called him and he said he had an opening in May so we picked May 24. We thought, ‘what could be more fun than having pig races in Martin County?'” Rouse said.

Hendick’s Racing Pigs is a main attraction of some big events, including the Nebraska State Fair. Rouse said spectators from around Fairmont and Martin County are invited to come and watch the pigs race here.

“We joked that if you weren’t able to go to the Kentucky Derby, you have a chance to go to the derby now, Martin County style,” he said.

The event starts at 5 p.m. on West 1st Street and in addition to watching several pig races, there will be pork chops on a stick courtesy of the Martin County Pork Producers. First Congregational United Church of Christ will also be serving pork-themed desserts and special guest, Marty the Pig is also expected to make an appearance.

The pig races will be free to the public thanks to support from local businesses and organizations including lead sponsor American Legion Lee C. Prentice Post 36, Sinn Family Celebration of Life Center, Doolittle’s Carpet and Paint, Giddy Up Boutique, Kim Kreiss Exit Realty-Great Plains, Fairmont National Agency and Martin County Historical Society.

“We could not have done this without them,” Rouse said.

While it’s something different, Rouse said so far they have received a good and positive response to the upcoming event and he believes they’ll see a good crowd.

“We’re doing this just as a fun thing for the community to experience something different in the entertainment field,” he said.