JACKSON, Wyo. — After much debate and reconsideration, pig wrestling will make a comeback at the Teton County Fair in 2026, though there will be no adult men’s division, and all participants will be required to complete a class on animal handling and care.
At Tuesday’s Board of County Commissioners (BCC) meeting, over 15 people gave passionate public comment for and against the county’s potential contract with MKO Genetics. The family-run farm out of Idaho Falls will provide pigs and personnel for the pig wrestling event at the fair, which has not taken place since 2019. The BCC voted three-to-one in favor of the contract, with Commissioner Natalia Macker absent, and Commissioner Luther Propst casting the only “no” vote. The contract will cost the county $5,500 and is for one year, allowing elected officials to revisit the topic in the future.
“Our fair board is comprised of folks who we have carefully interviewed,” said Chairman Mark Newcomb. “We have seen their resumes, and we know that they have: one, the passion to serve the community; two, a passion to put on a really good fair; and three, often have deep roots in the agricultural community — and they’ve come forward with a contract for pig wrestling.”
Pig wrestling as a sport consists of teams who attempt to capture a pig in the mud and place it in a barrel; many supporters believe the challenge is heavily weighted in the pig’s favor. The approved motion included two caveats to the event: eliminating the adult men’s category to avoid injuries to animals by potentially larger and stronger people, and requiring all participants to complete a training class about quality care and handling of animals.
Commissioner Len Carlman had previously reached out to a local 4-H youth educator, who recommended the program Youth for the Quality Care of Animals. Carlman hopes this training will educate participants prior to the event, to avoid “the worst scenario, a team of drunk bros,” from mishandling the animals carelessly.
The Commissioners acknowledged how divisive this issue has proven to be and expressed concern about hosting polarizing events at the County Fair. Commissioner Wes Gardner said he would vote no “in a vacuum,” but understanding his lack of knowledge on the topic, he could not legislate morality in good faith. Many opponents of the contract who gave comment at the meeting spoke to the intelligence and sentience of swine. One commenter on Zoom mentioned Jane Goodall, who worked with pigs to educate people on why they should show compassion for animals.
“We’re not having a discussion about banning pig wrestling, that’s not what the discussion is,” Propst said at the meeting, defending his vote against the contract. “The discussion is about whether to enter into a contract, to pay somebody to bring pigs for that purpose. There’s a huge difference in that, in my opinion.”
The drama surrounding pig wrestling began on Nov. 4 when the BCC approved the contract with MKO Genetics as a routine item on the Consent Agenda, instead of bringing the topic to the floor for a full discussion. On Nov. 10, the Commissioners approved a motion to reconsider the vote, after opponents flooded the BCC Voucher Meeting voicing concerns.
