August 8, 2011
08/09/11 A rivalry is born. For the second consecutive year, the title of Indiana State Fair “World’s Largest Male Hog” came down to Tickle Me Elmo III and Reggie. Last year, Tickle Me Elmo III went home the winner. This year, trophy belongs to Reggie.
The 4 year-old Red Wattle owned by the Stockdale family of Chelsea, Ind., tipped the scales at 1,305 pounds to edge out his rival by 18 pounds. Rick Stockdale credited his three boys for the victory as they care for the hog with their grandfather on his Austin, Ind., farm. Jonathan Stockdale, 10, was particularly proud of the victory.
“Everybody at school will be asking me a bunch of questions,” he said. “I wasn’t sure he was going to win.”
“The boys take a lot of pride in Reggie,” Rick Stockdale said. “It was great to see the smiles on their faces.”
The boys’ grandfather, James Stockdale, said they don’t feed Reggie anything special, just slop and produce.
“He’s just naturally big,” he said.
Reggie will spend the rest of the State Fair in a labeled pen near the entrance at the west end of the Swine Barn.
About Indiana State Fair
The Indiana State Fair is the state’s largest multi-day event attracting more than 900,000 people annually. Nationally recognized for offering the best in entertainment, showcasing youth, interactive agriculture education programs, premiere facilities and a variety of unique, fun foods, the Indiana State Fair is an annual tradition for generations of Hoosiers. Admission is $7 in advance, $8 at the gate – kids 5 and younger are free. For more information, please visit www.indianastatefair.com.