The saying 'when pigs fly' took on a new meaning at the Orange County Fair in Costa Mesa, California, as heritage breed pigs competed in their annual race on August 1. The All-Alaskan Racing Pigs, a popular attraction at the 23-day fair, were photographed mid-leap and sprinting down a track, complete with numbered vests and hurdles.
The pigs participating in the races are a rare, heritage breed, including Gloucestershire Old Spots native to England. They are specifically bred for this entertainment sport, which typically involves young pigs racing around enclosed tracks. The event is family-friendly and does not usually involve betting.
The pig race is one of several livestock competitions featured at the fair. Other attractions include dairy goats navigating obstacle courses, sheep exhibits, and a petting zoo. The Orange County Fair, which began in 1890 as a three-day agricultural and livestock exhibition, now attracts over one million visitors annually and is held at its permanent 150-acre site in Costa Mesa.