24
Almond Facts
JULY | AUGUST 2017
FEATURE
Growers
Giving Back
Colusa County Fair
Foundation Holds Kiss
the Pig Contest
Participants of the inaugural Kiss the Pig contest
puckered up with bright red lipstick for their
moment with Henry the pig. The community
event kicked off the 78th annual Colusa County
Fair in early June.
Colusa County Fair Foundation Board Member Shiela
Etchepare came up with the idea of a Kiss the Pig contest
after deciding that the non-profit group needed an
innovative and interesting new fundraiser. Formed for
charitable purposes, the Foundation’s primary focus is to
provide financial support to the Colusa County Fair after
the state of California discontinued financial assistance to
all county fairs.
Six teams participated in the contest and were given tickets
to sell six weeks before the event in an effort to meet the
Foundation’s fundraising goal of $20,000. The team who
raised the most money did not have to kiss the pig.
Blue
Diamond
grower-owner and team captain Matt LaGrande
commented that, “some contestants complained that no
one would buy tickets from us, because they wanted to see
us kiss the pig!”
Matt and his teammates,
Blue Diamond
grower-owner
Joe Kalfsbeek and local farmer Don Traynham, were
crowned the winning team. The group alone raised more
than $15,000.
“Our fair is in need of funding and support,” said Matt.
“I believe in the future of agriculture and our youth. By
participating in the Colusa County Fair Foundation’s
fundraiser, Kiss the Pig, I was able to raise money to
keep the fair up and going and support the 4-H and
FFA Junior Livestock.”
This first-year event raised $47,200 – more than double of
the Foundation’s goal – with all proceeds from the contest
going directly back into the fairgrounds to help preserve
the Fair’s heritage and viability.
The Foundation projects completed so far include a
new sewer line for the grandstands, insulation for
the Main Exhibit Building and concrete for the new
Fur & Feathers building – used for 4-H and FFA poultry
and rabbits.
Matt LaGrande (Left), Joe Kalfsbeek (center),
Don Traynham (right) crowned winners of
inaugural Kiss the Pig contest.
