Spud Run Instead of Pig Scramble? PETA Offers to Sponsor Kind Event for All at Shenandoah County Fair

For Immediate Release:
July 1, 2026

Contact:
Andrew Grant 202-483-7382

Ahead of the Shenandoah County Fair in August, PETA sent a letter today to Shenandoah County Fair Association General Manager Dawn Burch urging her to cancel the annual “pig scramble” event—in which young children are encouraged to grab, tackle, and drag terrified 6-week-old piglets—and replace it with a cruelty-free “tater trot” or “spud run” potato sack race that PETA would sponsor in recognition of Mount Jackson-based Route 11 Potato Chips.

Veterinary experts have found that the rough handling at the scramble “undeniably results in suffering and pain” for these tiny pigs and can even lead to “dislocated hips, knees, or ankles” and “broken bones.” PETA’s letter points Burch to the example set by the Sonoma County Fair, which replaced its half-century-old pig scramble with animal-friendly events and whose leadership called the move “a win for everyone” and “the right thing to do.”

“Pig scrambles traumatize baby animals and teach children the wrong lesson: that animals are nothing but playthings to be jumped on, tackled, and dragged for human entertainment,” says PETA Vice President Daniel Paden. “A potato sack race or other non-violent event celebrating local farmers would be a win for animals and the community, and PETA is ready to help make it happen.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—points out that when it comes to the ability to feel pain, hunger, and thirst, a pig is a dog is a boy. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

PETA’s letter to Burch follows.

July 1, 2026

Dawn Burch

General Manager

Shenandoah County Fair Association

Dear Ms. Burch:

Congratulations on all the good the fair has brought the community for so long. However, PETA continues to hear from those rightfully concerned about the annual pig scramble. Could we work together to provide kids with a good time and foster a love of agriculture without causing piglets physical distress and sheer terror? We would happily sponsor an alternative event at next month’s fair to replace the scramble.

The county has much to offer Virginians and visitors, including Route 11 Potato Chips. Since that successful company calls the county home—and supports area farmers—how about a new event that actually promotes local agriculture? For example, children could participate in a potato sack race or a “tater trot” or “spud run” of varying distances based on their age. This would underscore a local business’s importance to the community and help teach kids about potato farming.

Or you might follow the lead of the Sonoma County Fair, which—to boost attendance and address “heightened awareness” about animal welfare concerns—scrapped its own pig scramble (after more than 50 years) in favor of a greased watermelon obstacle course. This year, in the fair’s new “pig scramble,” kids will chase after remote-controlled cars decorated to look like pigs.

That fair board’s president—who grew up on a ranch and competed in pig scrambles himself—said at the time of retiring the scramble, “If we can do our part to protect animals as well as educate kids about agriculture it’s a win for everyone.” The fair’s agriculture committee chair—acknowledging that August’s heat is tough on pigs, as it is here in Virginia—added, “It’s just the right thing to do. We don’t want to see any of the animals get stressed out or hurt.” We agree. Your fair wouldn’t suffer by replacing the scramble with a family-friendly event—and doing so would bolster the county’s reputation as well as tourism prospects.

Please let me know if our offer interests you. Thank you for your consideration.

Best wishes,

Daniel Paden

Vice President of Legal Advocacy

Cruelty Investigations Department