Swift Current welcomed a unique and entertaining addition to this year's Frontier Days as the Flying Aces Pig Races took over the Family Fun Zone for their inaugural show.
Andrew Pogson, the owner of the Flying Pig Races, spoke enthusiastically about the new show and its mission to promote agriculture, honour farmers, and showcase the remarkable intelligence of pigs.
"This is a brand-new show in Canada that we're touring coast to coast," Pogson shared. "We want to bring attention to agriculture and farmers while also providing good old-fashioned fun."
The crowd at Frontier Days couldn't help but find the pig races both cute and entertaining.
Pogson explained that positive reinforcement plays a significant role in the show, creating an atmosphere of enjoyment for both the audience and the pigs.
During the races, four pigs compete at a time, with a total of 12 pigs participating.
Although the event was still in its early stages, Pogson assured that the pigs would soon be performing at their best.
"Right now, we're just in a training session,” he explained. “It takes about two days to get them dialled into the show, but you're going to see some fast and furious flying pigs around the track,"
Pogson noted that the concept for the Flying Aces Pig Races was conceived before the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that a couple of gentlemen in Canada had previously organized such races but have since retired, leaving a void in the Canadian market.
He added that he couldn’t be more excited about how opening day in Swift Current went.
“It's super engaging, and audiences in Swift Current are always amazing, so I always love coming here," he said.
The Flying Aces Pig Races are set to continue their tour across Canada, showcasing the incredible athleticism and intelligence of these four-legged competitors while delighting audiences with their adorable antics.
Swift Current residents and visitors can look forward to more thrilling races and wholesome fun for the remainder of the festival.
Remaining show times are today and tomorrow at 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, the pigs will be flying through the track at 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m.