Take two for library’s ‘Wild Hog’ fundraiser
Contributed 
Get Ready! Oops, we mean Get Ready Again!
It’s Take Two for the squeals and spills that accompany the seventh annual Wild Hog Explosion and All Bike Rally.
Although initially set to kick off the first weekend of spring break, much-needed rain canceled the event in February. Now, the good times have been rescheduled for Saturday, May 16.
Events include the hilarious Wild Hog Catch, the crowd-pleasing Pork Rib Cook-Off and an awesome All Bike Rally. Presenting sponsors for the Wild Hog Catch and Bar-B-Que Cook-off are Moore Title Company and attorney Billy Walker. The Longhorn Saloon, one of Bandera’s favorite waterholes, serves as sponsor for the always-popular All Bike Rally. Medina’s Koyote Ranch will sponsor the “Ride and Shine” competition.
Tickets to the Saturday events are just $5; children ages 12 and under are admitted free. Gates open at 10 am. All proceeds from the day’s fun events benefit the Bandera County Public Library.
Wild Hog Catch
The weekend offers something for everyone – no matter what age. The hog catch starts with about 150 wild hogs of various sizes and ages. Add some brave and willing humans to the mix and the end result is entertaining and hilarious as the humans attempt to catch the smart, fast and loud wild hogs.
Teams must catch a hog and get him to the finish line with the fastest time. Be forewarned, however, most of the time the hog wins – and animal lovers at the library wouldn’t have it any other way. Along the way, however, there’ll be action, adventure and laughs. Winners of the Wild Hog Catch take home a great belt buckle.
Bicycle Rodeo
The day includes plenty of activities for kids such as Bicycle Rodeo and special hog catches for the little ones – runts, ages three and four; piglets, ages five and six; and Shoats, ages seven to nine. This year, inflatable games have even been added.
Participants in the Bicycle Rodeo, sponsored by Christian Motorcycle Association, must register at Mansfield Park at 10 am; the competition begins at 11 am. The rodeo is open to children from kindergarten through sixth grade who are able to ride a tricycle or bicycle. Events include barrels, poles and a slow race.
Best of all, every child who enters the Bicycle Rodeo has a chance to win the grand prize, a new bicycle donated by Bandera’s R&S Dairy Queen. In addition, prizes will be awarded to winners of each heat.
Et al
Making its debut this year, is a Hog Calling Contest for loud and willing participants, which joins old favorites such as an arts and crafts show, commercial booths and a CTBA sanctioned cook-off competition. Cook-off winners get gorgeous trophies, bragging rights and cash prizes, too.
For adults, there’s even a Lestourgeon’s Bloody Mary and the Best Margarita competitions.
Nationally known sculptor Esther Benedict, official artist for the Bandera County Public Library and the Wild Hog Explosion, creates many of the trophies for the benefit activities.
For the last six years, she has produced beautiful and unique works of art with steel, bronze and stainless steel for the library fundraiser. Some of the porcine trophies are currently on exhibit at the Bandera County Public Library.
All Bike Rally
An adjunct to the Wild Hog Explosion is the All Bike Rally, which features not only a Poker Run through Bandera’s beautiful hills, but also a “Gone Hog Wild Party” Saturday Night at the Longhorn Saloon with Josh Ward. The best and worst hands win the Koyote Ranch Hill Country Poker Run.
The Longhorn Saloon All Bike Rally kicks off on lucky Friday, May 15, with a 6 pm pre-registration party at 1307 Main Street.
Saturday morning the action moves to Mansfield Park for on-site bike registration, a fabulous taco breakfast courtesy of The Little Shack and instructions for the Koyote Ranch Poker Run, which takes place from 10 am until 4 pm.
At 4:30 pm, there will be special “Ride and Shine” Competitions. Sunday riders can make the popular “Pie Run” to Love Creek Orchard Apple Store in Medina.
For sponsor participation, call Genie Strickland, event coordinator at 830-796-4447.
For more information on all activities, visit www.WildHogExplosion.com.
