'Swine Time' at the Dixon May Fair; New Swine Pavilion Up in Five DaYS

BEFORE - Photo By Kathy Garvey

AFTER - Photo By Kathy Garvey

There are barn raisings and then there are barn raisings. It took only five days, from start to finish, for the Friends of Dixon May Fair to erect the 1800-square-foot swine pavilion in the livestock area of the fairgrounds at 655 S. First St.

They began with concrete pouring on Tuesday, April 27 and by Saturday, May 1, the 30x60-foot structure was up, just in time for the swine shows at the May 6-9 Dixon May Fair and the hogcalling contest on May 7.

"It has 96,000 pounds of concrete,” said Donnie Huffman of Vacaville, president of the Friends of Dixon May Fair who spearheaded the project, a joint volunteer effort of the Friends, Solano Construction of Vacaville and CBC Steel Building, Lathrop.
Huffman said the structure can withstand 85-mile-per-hour winds.

“That will withstand even a Katrina,” quipped 87-year-old Curt Larson, lot man for Butler Amusements and a Pearl Harbor military survivor who has worked at the fair for 52 years—35 years with Butler Amusements.

Huffman, a former 4-H swine leader, will emcee the eighth annual hogcalling contest, which begins at 2:30 p.m., Friday in the swine pavilion. Registration begins at 2 p.m.  The contest, with age categories for children through adults, is an opportunity to get the hogs into four-squeal drive and hamward bound. Prizes include concert and carnival tickets.

Larson said he wasn’t sure he’ll enter the hogcalling contest, but “I’m thinking about it.”

The Friends of Dixon May Fair, an all-volunteer organization that’s the fundraising arm of the fair, is comprised of some 100 volunteers. They sell beverages at the fair and use the proceeds for building and grounds improvements, college scholarships for Solano County youth major in agriculture, and awards. Gilbert Molina of Vacaville serves as the vice president; JoAn Giannoni of Dixon as the secretary; and Tootie Huffman of Vacaville as the treasurer.

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