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Pigs get all cleaned up for judging
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Times photos: Brenda Steurer Michael Elmer, left, and Andrew Elmer, both from Albany, guide Michaels pigs to their pen Monday at the Green County Fairgrounds. The pigs will be judged Wednesday and sold Saturday at the livestock auction.
MONROE - There's lots of piggies everywhere at the fair.

Pigs were brought to the Green County Fairgrounds Monday by FFA and 4-H club members in preparation for the Green County Fair.

Ribbons from the judges and money from the auction are the reasons why the kids have spent the past two months getting their pigs ready, they said.

Squealing pigs were herded into their stalls. The 4-H groups have their own special section of the pig barn. Kids put straw or wood shavings in the stalls to keep their pigs comfortable and as clean as possible. They want their pigs to look good when the they are judged Wednesday.

Michael Elmer, 19, Albany, brought his pigs to the fair for the last time. He's shown pigs at the fair for nine years. One of the first things he did Monday was wash his pigs, along with some help from Michelle Mauerman, 18, Albany, and Jacob Elmer, 11.

"You wash them when they get here so they're clean," he said as he scrubbed the pigs. "If they get dirty during the week you have to wash them again."

Chandler Tarala, 11, New Glarus, cleaned his pig, "Squealer," and sprayed him with water to keep him cool. This is Tarala's first year showing a pig at the fair. His cousins have shown pigs in previous years, and he decided he wanted to do it to. He joined 4-H and got two pigs for the fair. His other pig, "Phil," stayed home, he said.

Squealer will be weighed today and on Wednesday he'll be judged. Then, on Saturday, Tarala will have to sell the animal.

After raising his pig from a baby, Tarala admitted that he's gotten a little attached to his pig. He gave him a name, he fed him, and he walked him so the pig will make a good impression on the judges.

He understands that selling his pig is also part of the fair experience.

"I know he has to turn into breakfast," he said.