02/20/2026
Pig Days Seeks New Ownership
After 20 years of hosting Pig Days, the Pittsfield Lions Club is stepping down. It’s been a great run and the members have enjoyed it, but with 20 years comes lots of changes. With declining membership and volunteers, Pig Days is too big an event for the club to handle.
What started out on Friday, July 12, 1968 as a 1 day event has morphed and changed over the years. Pig Days was originally hosted by the Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Pike County Pork Producers Association. That first year included free pork sandwiches, merchant sales, pig day buttons, hog judging, hog weight guessing, a pork cook-out contest, and Prince Pig, all in recognition of farmers who made Pike one of the top two hog production counties in the state. By 1973, the Miss Piglet contest and kids painting contest were added, as well as a PHS band concert and ice cream social. By 1975, a Pike Pig Derby, kids’ play, pigskin throwing contest, and lawn tractor race had been added. By 1980, it had moved to a Saturday. The Pittsfield Lions Club took over around 2005. It has been a 2 day event for at least those 20 years and has included activities and events such as: free hearing screenings, paint a pig, kids games, a 3K run/walk, tractor show, adult canvas paintings, pork cookout contest, 2008 county’s biggest pork burger, bands, local musicians and singers, Mr. Pork Chop, rides, and the yearly T-shirts designed by Bill Beard.
The club has great hopes that an individual or group will step up and continue with the Pig Days tradition that has continued for over 50 years. Members are willing to share any information or knowledge they have to help a new owner continue the tradition. Questions may be directed to President Matt Sealock or Secretary Michelle Gates at the club’s email address: [email protected].
Thank you all for the success of the past 20 years as Pig Days was the Lions Club main fundraiser. Please be on the lookout and just as supportive of future smaller events and activities that the club will host. At 105 years old and the 3rd oldest club in Illinois, Pittsfield Lions Club is proud to continue serving the community.
Sincerely,
Pittsfield Lions Club
