One of the NC State Fair’s must-see events is a no-go as ‘legendary’ pig racer retires

For fans of the racing pigs at the North Carolina State Fair, the following news may seem like hogwash: the pigs will not be racing this fall.

The North Carolina State Fair announced Monday that Dennis Cook, the “legendary pig racing pioneer” and owner of Hogway Speedway Racing Pigs, is retiring.

Watching the speeding squealers, as well as goats and ducks, circle a fence-lined track has become one of the State Fair’s many traditions, attracting throngs of people to nearby bleachers to cheer on their favorite critter.

“It is safe to say that hundreds of thousands of us have become fans of not just his four-legged friends, but of the entire Cook family,” the N.C. State Fair wrote on Facebook.

Cook has participated in animal racing for decades, fair spokeswoman Sarah Ray said in an email.

“The fair will have several new entertainers this year, but we will not be placing any of them in the Hogway Speedway area between Gates 9 and 10,” Ray said.

The fair will add a fourth ride voucher redemption tent and queue line in the area where the critters once raced to victory.

The NC State Fair runs Oct. 13-23 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.