Pigs fly? Absolutely, if you're talking about the Kenai Peninsula State Fair in Ninilchik, where thousands of visitors have flocked the last several years to cheer on their favorite little racing swine.
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The Kenai Peninsula Racing Pigs have run into the hearts of thousands of fans and given the Kenai Peninsula State Fair a theme that keeps on going. Or flying, as the case may be.
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Taking that barnyard attraction one more step, "Where Pigs Fly" is the theme of the third annual Celebrity Waiter Event, with proceeds used to landscape the fairgrounds, make electrical upgrades and purchase new bleachers for the rodeo and junior market livestock auction.
"We're all about pigs," said Lara McGinnis, fair manager and a member of the fair's fund-raising committee.
The fair also is about having fun. Which is why, for the third year in a row, a host of hometown celebrities from Homer, Ninilchik and points north are selling tickets for this specially catered dinner and auction. Among the long list of waiters eager to outdo each other with ticket sales and tips from diners are Rep. Mike Chenault, R-Kenai, Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor John Williams and Steve Vanek, who is more easily recognized as the head of Ninilchik Emergency Services. Other members of the evening's wait staff draw from both large and small businesses and nonprofits represented on the peninsula.
The celebrity dinner is at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds at 6 p.m. April 5.
During last year's competition, Joe Gallagher of Homer Electric Association and his team of smiling servers joined other eager-to-please waiters in the challenge to get the top-waiter prize. This year Gallagher won't be present, but not because he's afraid of the good-natured battle to be a high scorer.
"We're giving other teams a chance, opening it up to the competition," Gallagher said, laughing. "It's just a matter of scheduling for me. I support the fair, so there'll be a donation, but I'm not a waiter this year."
What Gallagher and his team lose is a chance at the top ticket-seller's prize a gift certificate for dinner at Land's End Resort. In addition, the waiter whose outstanding service the night of the dinner brings in the most tips gets a one-of-a-kind crown of flying pigs made by artist Steve Belden, also known as the Hammered Wombat.
The event's meal will be prepared by Debbie Carey of Inlet View Restaurant. It includes a main course of stuffed chicken breast and manicotti, with baby squash and an Italian pasta salad.
An array of mouth-watering desserts are being whipped up by Ninilchik's Domestic Engineers. The way to that table is through a silent auction.
Other treasures to be auctioned during the evening include a print by artist Norman Lowell, paintings by Ninilchik artists Marla Oskolkoff and Michael Johnson, a quilt by Debra Henderson, a one-of-a-kind helm created by the Hammered Wombat, a Paz egg designed by Blanche Rogers, a burl wood hanging by Mark Sutton and an array of gift certificates valued from $25 to $100.
"Be prepared for a high flying time," McGinnis said.
The fair's fund-raising goal for 2008 is $40,000. The celebrity dinner is one way the public can help reach that goal before the Kenai Peninsula State Fair opens its gates for a fun-filled three-day event, Aug. 15-17.
Tickets for the April 5 dinner are $30 each or $55 a couple and available at the Homer News. For more information, call (907) 567-3670.
McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.
