Preble County Pork Festival back on, organizers say

FILE PHOTO: The 2021 Preble County Pork Festival was held Saturday, Sept. 18, and Sunday, Sept. 19, at the Preble County Fairgrounds in Eaton. The annual festival offers arts, crafts, live entertainment and, of course, lots of food. CONTRIBUTED/DAVID A. MOODIE

FILE PHOTO: The 2021 Preble County Pork Festival was held Saturday, Sept. 18, and Sunday, Sept. 19, at the Preble County Fairgrounds in Eaton. The annual festival offers arts, crafts, live entertainment and, of course, lots of food. CONTRIBUTED/DAVID A. MOODIE

EATON — The Preble County Pork Festival will happen in September after all.

In April, a post to the festival’s Facebook page stated it would not happen this year due to rising costs and a lack of volunteers. But today, organizers said it will happen the third full weekend in September.

“This year’s Preble County Pork Festival held at the Preble County Fairgrounds will take place Sept. 17-18, 2022 marking the organization’s 51st annual event,” states a release from organizers. “The food, entertainment, exhibitors and pork education are integrated into a weekend event sure to appeal to all ages. The Board of Directors unanimously confirmed to reinstate the previously canceled festival after receiving a groundswell of community support.”

The April post on Facebook said:

“The continuing rise in cost of products has made it impossible to maintain our aging equipment,” the board stated. “As with the rest of you, we continue to question the economic stability of the future and have financial uncertainties in regard to our outlook. The lack of volunteers, start up cost and overhead costs have forced an uncomfortable situation for all who have dedicated time, talent, and money to the festival,” the post read.

“This decision was not made easily, nor spontaneously,” it said.

There was a large response on social media from attendees who said they would greatly miss it.

The Preble County Pork Festival takes place at the county’s fairgrounds in Eaton. It started in 1970 as a way to show off local agricultural pride.

The festival offers arts, crafts, live entertainment and lots of food. About 125,000 people devoured 54,000 pounds of meat served at the festival every year.

Organizers said more details will be listed online at porkfestival.org.

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