I love the small town I live it. It is just far enough away from Portland to feel like it is in the middle of nowhere but close enough to my office that the commute is just right with very little traffic as I wind across the pine sheltered Cornelius Pass.
Beautiful
Like other small towns in this country we will be hosting a little festival to celebrate the town on July 12-14. This year will include a beer garden, softball tournament, 5k run, and unfortunately a Greased Pig Scramble.
I love my little town but this just breaks my heart. It might seem like fun for kids to chase a scared little pig around a muddy field but that little pig most certainly is really scared and the chances of him or her getting hurt are very high. There must be a better way to entertain kids and amuse on looking parents.
I realize some people are going to think I’m making too much of this but I just don’t think scaring an innocent being is in any way fun. Can you imagine being that little pig thrown into a loud, strange environment with people chasing you and trying to tackle you? To me that seems like a very lonely, terrifying situation to be in. So I’m sending a note to the festival organizers to ask them to cancel this event. If you want to help out please submit your comments to the Scappoose Boosters.
It really is a small town and I may get some backlash over this but really? A greased pig scramble? Small town or not, we are better than that.
Scappoose Boosters: http://scappooseboosters.org/contact/
Bearing in mind that I was writing to fund-raising omnivores, I wrote the following:
” Thank you very much for all the hard work that goes into planning, organizing, and running this important and enjoyable event. I appreciate your focus on youth and on the community’s future, and it is that shared focus that has prompted me to write.
> The Pow-Wow and drum socials are an important way to celebrate Scappoose’s history and present-day culture.
> The walk, run, softball tournament help teach that exercise and physical health are fun.
> The vision screening is a great benefit for area kids.
> The fire department safety course is a great benefit for all residents, especially with fireworks so readily available across the Washington border.
> The talent show, pancake breakfast, “bow-wow,” and concerts are ways of bringing the community together.
Some other activities, while well-meant, are not truly in anyone’s best interest. The greased pig scramble teaches no beneficial lesson, and actually teaches our children the wrong lessons about animals. While the car smash is meant as a charity benefit, it teaches that destruction is beneficial: not a message we want our children to carry into the future.
On its website, the City of Scappoose notes in its official Vision that Scappoose is intended to be far more than an inviting small community: the plan is for Scappoose to become “a new tourism destination facility incorporating our vast open spaces, rich history, outdoor recreation, celebrating Lewis and Clark history and enjoying river accessibility.” It’s important to note that “our history will not be lost while embracing for an ever-changing future.” The City has specified 190 years of formative events worthy of celebration that it is hoped both residents and visitors will appreciate. Neither the City of Scappoose Comprehensive Plan map nor its Zoning map include areas designated for pig farming, so it’s not clear what part of Scappoose’s past or present this event is supposed to represent, nor what positive lesson the children are supposed to take away from it. The same can be said for the car smash. Scappoose is a pleasant and nurturing community, and Scappoose Booster activities should reflect the historic community that hosts the Peace Candle of the World.
Thanks again for all the hard work that goes into this event each year. I hope that next year each individual activity will do as good a job representing Scappoose as the event does overall. “
By: Know Thank You on July 6, 2012
at 9:18 am
Thank you so much! I am almost speechless. What an engaging, well thought out message to send. You obviously put some effort into learning about our town’s festival and the tone of the message was friendly and supportive, but still very clear and unwavering about why the greased pig scramble and the car smash (which completely escaped my notice) do not send the right message. I am positive your message has a far better chance of getting people to listen than mine did. From now on when I send letters and emails in support of animals I will remember to take the time to really try to understand the audience like you did.
You and your blog never cease to amaze and inspire me. Thank you!
By: Debbie on July 6, 2012
at 10:01 pm
I will surely be writing to share my distaste. Is it ok if I reference your blog in my letter?
By: Cody on July 7, 2012
at 3:00 pm
Thank you so much Cody and yes, feel free to reference my blog.
By: Debbie on July 7, 2012
at 5:59 pm
Great approach by Know Thank You. Beginning by emphasizing what is positive usually goes over better than being critical right off the bat. Have to admit my comment to them was much shorter and way less eloquent, but better than nothing, eh?
By: havegonevegan on July 7, 2012
at 9:08 pm
Just got the following response from the festival director:
“We received your message regarding your concern about the activity labeled the Greased Pig Scramble during the Scappoose Pow Wow community festival. Thank you for your input on the activity, and we will take your remarks into consideration. We encourage you to join in our community celebration this week. Thank you for your concern, and we hope to see you at the event.”
By: Have Gone Vegan on July 8, 2012
at 7:48 pm
I got an email from them also. They said that no pigs will be hurt. I’m thinking about going and taping it or taking pictures. Maybe for next year I can start earlier and send letters to our local paper with pictures to make a stronger case.
By: Debbie on July 13, 2012
at 4:44 pm