By Jessica Dillon
The third annual Kiss the Piggy competition marked the start of the 15th annual Pig Cookin’.
The contest featured five participants: Monica Hatchett of Patrick & Henry Community College and the center’s board; Luise Romero of rbs news now; Chad Hall of BTW21; Henry County Sheriff Wayne Davis; and Rocky Mount Mayor Holland Perdue.
Luis Romero finished in last place, with Davis in fourth. Hatchett placed third with 140 votes, Hall was second with 205 votes, and Perdue won with 755 votes. Perdue joined the competition later than the others but quickly gained momentum, earning 500 votes within a few days.
Perdue learned he would have to kiss a piglet named Ruby.
“I guess I’ve gotta kiss a pig now.”
Ruby was a bit feistier than last year’s pig, but Perdue said he made sure she was comfortable.
“What’s the etiquette on this?” he said, adding after the kiss that it “was great.”
Perdue said he enjoyed participating in the fundraiser.
“It’s a good cause, and so we had heard about it. Sheriff Davis was in it, and so we kind of heard about that, and we were happy to be involved in the race,” he said.
He also said he values the relationship between Rocky Mount and the county.
“I think we’ve got good relationships with people down here, and we want to continue to do that, so it’s good to be here,” Perdue said.
After the contest, the event opened with vendors, a pie-eating competition, barbecue and a library sale.
The pie-eating contest included representatives from Just Call Granny and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office. Kenlee Hilton of Just Call Granny ate the most pie.
Vendors included Just Call Granny, Blind Date With a Book, Fiery Creations, All That Gwen-Some, Kathy Krafts and The Main Ingredient. Vendors were set up both inside and outside the building, with some spaces located in former classrooms.
“This is my second event here, but this is my first time at the Pig Cookin’ Festival,” said Melinda Day, who created blind-date book packages specifically for the event. “These are all handmade for this event, so these are unique. And if anybody would like to reach out to me, they can contact me via Facebook at Once Upon a Blind Date.”
Jason Bryant sold sauces, jams and salves.
“I go to a few local farmers markets. I go uptown Martinsville from time to time. I come to Spencer-Penn, and this year I’m going to be doing the Monday market at Fairy Stone State Park,” he said.
