Wild Hog CookOff in Cotulla, Texas

Wild Hog Cook Off in Cotulla, Texas
Every year the second Saturday of March my extended family gets together at the Wild Hog Cook Off in Cotulla, Texas. This is the annual county fair for Cotulla that raises money for scholarships. While I realize this blog is for international travel, I feel like this annual trip is like traveling to another country in comparison to my usual city life. For those of you who don’t know Cotulla (which is most people), it’s roughly the mid-point between San Antonio and Laredo. It’s two exits off of I35.
The event is the typical small town county fair that you would see in a movie set in Texas, except for one big difference. I assume because of the name, half of the attendees are now Harley-Davidson bikers doing their weekend ride. Very interesting to see the difference between the two audiences.
On one side, you have people who generally grew up in the area. Some of those usual attendees decorate their booths according to the year’s given theme – this year it was Wild Hog American Style. Families and friends meet to barbeque and spend time together. Some people enter the wild hog barbeque contest. This year over 120 teams competed to see who could impress the roughly 20 volunteer tasting judges. There is live music, so people can show off their dance moves. Others head over to the rides. Little kids run back to their parents to show off the goldfish they’ve won from a game. And there is always some sort of show for livestock show as well. There is even a parade through town before the fair kicks off, although I’ve never seen the parade or the livestock show.
On the other side, you have the people who drive their bikes into town, generally Harleys, and enjoy the many food booths, hang out with their buddies, ride the fair rides, do the dancing.
Two difference audiences having a different experience at the same event – all in the name of raising money for local scholarships. Maybe next year you can check it out. ; )