Pig ’N Ford Races

In 1970, a group of Model T enthusiasts from Tillamook brought a delightfully quirky spectacle to rodeo fans—a three-lap auto race that tested driving skill under the most unusual conditions. The catch? The cars were more than 80 years old, and the passengers were pigs.

Now, decades later, we’re thrilled to welcome the Pig ’N Ford Races back to the St. Paul Rodeo. This crowd-pleasing event has appeared at our rodeo nine times over the years: 1970, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1987, 1992, 1994,1997 and 2004. Featuring vintage Model T Fords, daring drivers, and squealing porkers, the result is pure, frenzied, farm-style fun.

The Pig ’N Ford races trace their roots to the Tillamook County Fair, where the tradition began in 1925. Legend has it the idea was born when a pair of Tillamook County residents were hauling pigs and one escaped. They chased it through town in their Model T Fords—and had so much fun that they decided the chaos belonged at the fair. The rest is history.

The Model T Fords used in the races date from 1918 to 1927 and have been passed down through generations. Ownership of these cars is highly prized, and the race itself is considered one of the most unusual auto speed contests in North America.

Here’s how it works: brightly painted, stripped-down Model T Fords line the starting area. Across the track, drivers crouch near portable pigpens. At the signal, pandemonium erupts. Drivers dash for a pig—typically weighing 25 to 35 pounds—hoist it under one arm, sprint back to their car, and hand-crank the engine to life. With pig firmly in tow, competitors roar off through clouds of dust, clutching their porcine racing partners.

While most pigs squeal their objections (and occasionally escape for a brief chase), they eventually settle in and seem to enjoy the ride. Each race runs three laps, and at the end of every lap drivers shut off their engines, return their pig to the pen, and select a new one for the next round.

The Pig ’N Ford Races deliver laughs, nostalgia, and nonstop action—an unforgettable blend of history, horsepower, and hogs.