By Khalida Sarwari
A cavalcade of trailers befitting a rock star will roll into town on June 27, carrying pigs with names like Ham Solo and Spamela Anderson.
When the trailers reach their destination, a pink carpet will roll out to welcome the hooved visitors to the Flying Pig Stampede, a unique fundraiser for the Our Lady of Fatima Villa Foundation, a nonprofit care facility that works to raise money and community awareness for Our Lady of Fatima Villa. With proceeds from the Flying Pig Stampede, the organization hopes to raise $150,000 to refurbish the senior care facility’s rehab unit.
“They don’t want to raise fees for the residents,” said Debbie Rice, a spokeswoman for the Our Lady of Fatima Villa Foundation. “The foundation exists to improve the facility so that the residents don’t have a rate increase.”
The event, which organizers say would be the first of its kind in Saratoga, will feature tractor pulls where even kids can participate by driving mini tractors. There will also be a “pink carpet” where folks will be interviewed as they’re coming in. Prizes will be presented to those with the best attire.
“I don’t think there’s been a pig race in Saratoga ever,” Rice said. “We’re encouraging people to kind of get in the spirit and have fun.”
The highlight reel, of course, will be the actual race. Decked in racing jackets, eight pigs will race against one another in a series of competitions. Animal lovers need not worry as the pigs are not only pampered, they’re actually spoiled, Rice said. The secret to getting them to run, she said, is the strategic placement of their favorite snack at the end of the track: chocolate chip cookies.
This is the foundation’s first fundraiser since 2004. That year, the foundation raised money to add an assisted living unit. About 20 years ago, the foundation hosted a major fundraiser to renovate the facility, according to Rice.
The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. At 6 p.m. there will be a black-tie optional dinner, dance and race. Tickets for this event are $125.
Admission is $50 per family and tickets can be purchased at Our Lady of Fatima or by calling 408.741.1751. They are also available online at bit.ly/pigstampede.
Link: Hold a fundraiser for Our Lady of Fatima Villa? Sure, when pigs fly!
