Four scrambles - 2008

       Fairgoers planning to watch one of the four pig scrambles scheduled during fair week should plan to arrive early if they want a seat. The highly entertaining events always draw huge crowds.
        The scrambles are open to boys and girls ages 8-10. Entries must be made at the Livestock Office on the day of the scramble and will close one hour prior to the scheduled start. Names are drawn at random.
        The first, the Society Pig Scramble, is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on opening day, Sunday, Sept. 28, in the pulling pavilion. The Society Scramble is open to kids who live in any of the 22 towns that make up the West Oxford Agricultural Society. Sixteen towns are located in western Maine and six in eastern New Hampshire.
        The pigs average six to eight weeks in age. Fair officials choose 12 youngsters to go after 10 pigs.
        The second and fourth scrambles are both open events. One is set for Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 1 p.m., and the other on Sunday, Oct. 5 at 10:30 a.m. Both scrambles will be held in the pulling pavilion and are open to any youngsters age 8-10.
        The third scramble will be held outside on the racetrack in front of the main grandstand on Friday, Oct.3 following the 4-H calf scramble that begins at 10 a.m. This scramble is reserved for third graders from the local SAD 72 school system and are selected in advance of the event.
        Youngsters are encouraged to keep the pigs they catch and raise them. But for those that don't want to or can't take them home, Jerry Watson, supplier of the pigs, will be on hand to buy them back.

2006 pig scrambles

Pigmaster Ted Raymond prepares the pigs moments before the start of the Friday scramble. Below, Jerry Watson unloads his cargo in front of the main grandstand.

Sunday Sept. 30
Society scramble

Jade Lynn Fox, 8, Fryeburg
Damian Eldridge, 9, Sweden
Delaney Whitley, 10, No Conway NH
Emma Jo Armington, 8, Lovell
Ian Termini, 9, Fryeburg
Adele Cheny, 9, Standish
Troy Delano, 9, Bridgton
Kristi Roast, 8, Harrison
Blake Treworthy, 10, Porter
Haylie Bartlett, 10, Brownfield
Neville White, 9, Jackson
Dennis Mills, 10, Hiram

Wednesday, Oct. 3
Open Scramble

Jessica Huston, 9, Freeport
Jackie May, 8, Denis MA
Nicholas Whitley, 8, No Conway NH
Alec King, 8, Ponca City OK
Justice Pittman, 10, Stoneham
Tess Coutu, 8, Foster RI
Mathew Marcotte, 1, Pittsfield NH
Owen Rooney, 10, Westminster MA
Eddie Grace, 10, Bridgton
Delaney Somers, 8, Halifax NS
Tyson Taylor, 9, Athens VT
Aricka Corson, 8, Farmington

Friday, Oct. 5
SAD 72 3rd Graders

Snow School
Anthony Charbonneau
Caylin Parmenter
David Seashack
Tabitha Day
Andrew Malia
Denmark School
Alexandria Fraize
Chris Sargent
Owen Feider-Sullivan
New Suncook School
Jasmine Ward
Jaimie Pratt
Christopher Hennessy
Anna Hodgman-Burns

Sunday, Oct. 7
Open Scramble

Margo Santos, 9, Little Compton RI
Alex Whitehouse, 8, Turner
Austin Chamberlain, 9, Hartford CT
Olivia Surette, 9, Conway NH
Lauren Moore, 9, Freeport
Tucker Hubbard, 10, Sutton VT
Sophia Libby, 8, Fryeburg
Ryan Stevens, 9, Glen NH
Gage Fowler, 9, Nantucket MA
Ashley Shackford, 9, Madison NH
Owen Homeister, 10, Saratoga Springs NY
Jenna Arguin, 10 Berlin NH