Pigs on parade: Competitors shine with swine at the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo
HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 hours, 28 minutes AGO
Callum Diede works with his pig Eddy in the junior showmanship competition in the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Aug. 10 during the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo. (Heidi Desch/Daily Inter Lake)
Madison Peters works her pig around the ring during the swine showmanship competition inside the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Aug. 10 during the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo. (Heidi Desch/Daily Inter Lake)
Competitors move their pigs around the ring during the swine showmanship competition inside the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Aug. 10 during the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo. (Heidi Desch/Daily Inter Lake)
Joe Barone works his pig around the ring during the swine showmanship competition inside the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Aug. 10 during the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo. (Heidi Desch/Daily Inter Lake)
Competitors walk their pigs between the pens inside the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Aug. 10 during the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo. (Heidi Desch/Daily Inter Lake)
Madison Peters works her pig around the ring during the swine showmanship competition inside the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Aug. 10 during the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo. (Heidi Desch/Daily Inter Lake)
Madison Peters works her pig around the ring during the swine showmanship competition inside the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Aug. 10 during the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo. (Heidi Desch/Daily Inter Lake)
Brady Peters guides pig Huckleberry during competition inside the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Aug. 10 during the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo. (Heidi Desch/Daily Inter Lake)
Shianne Benson competes with her pig Brute in the senior novice division for showmanship inside the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Aug. 10 during the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo. (Heidi Desch/Daily Inter Lake)
Katie Bicha directs Stapleton around the ring during the swine showmanship competition inside the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Aug. 10 during the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo. (Heidi Desch/Daily Inter Lake)
Brady Peters guides pig Huckleberry during competition inside the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Aug. 10 during the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo. (Heidi Desch/Daily Inter Lake)
Brady Peters guides pig Huckleberry during competition inside the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Aug. 10 during the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo. (Heidi Desch/Daily Inter Lake)
DEPUTY EDITOR, FEATURES Heidi Desch is the Deputy Editor at the Daily Inter Lake, overseeing coverage of arts, culture, lifestyle, community, and business. Desch leads reporters in developing stories that highlight the people, traditions, and events shaping Northwest Montana, guiding content across print and digital platforms. With more than 20 years of journalism experience, including serving as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, Desch is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. She has received multiple Montana Newspaper Association awards, including part of the team leading the Daily Inter Lake to Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. IMPACT: Heidi’s work connects readers with stories that deepen the understanding of the community beyond daily news. | August 11, 2026 12:00 AM
Marshmallows were by far the favorite snack of the pigs inside the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Monday.
It's pretty common for pigs to like marshmallows, agreed Katie Bicha, while handing her cousin's pig Cinnamon one of the squishy treats. Down the row of pens, Bicha's pig Stapleton also likes cabbage and alfalfa.
Naming her pig after country music star Chris Stapleton, Bicha was competing in the senior novice division. Last year she named her pig after fellow country music heavyweight Reba McEntire and decided to continue the theme this spring with her pig, which she described as "pretty chill" and having a great temperament.
Every pig is different, Bicha said while wearing her blue Kalispell FFA jacket. She enjoys connecting with the animals and said raising them requires commitment.
"I wouldn't be waking up at 7 a.m., if I didn't have a pig," Bicha said.
With big snouts and curly tails, the pigs led the way to kick off multiple days of competition at the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo.
During showmanship, the exhibitors guided their pig around the ring with a whip while the judge evaluated how skillfully they controlled the pig. Handlers attempted to keep their pig between them and the judge while moving throughout the ring and maintaining eye contact with the judge.
In the senior division, Avery Nellen guided her pig Jimmy Dean around the ring. Consistency is the key to training, she said, noting that the journey to this year's fair was long as her pig was sick for a while and wouldn't eat.
"Marshmallows and apples" are now the pig's favorites, Nellen said.
Many of the competitors mention responsibility when discussing what it takes to raise and train a pig, preparing for the showmanship competition and ultimately taking it to market at the fair.
Spraying her pig with an aerosol ring shine, Madison Peters, 15, is in her eighth year showing pigs. This year she competed with Harvey in the senior novice division as part of the Flathead Boondockers 4-H Club.
She said Harvey likes the mud. And while he does enjoy marshmallows, grass is his favorite treat, along with vanilla wafers.
"He's a good-looking pig," she said.
Raising a pig is fun, but Peters said being part of the 4-H Club has provided an opportunity.
“I like being in the club and the connection with the animal,” she said. “But I like the leadership part. I'm the oldest member and I'm the vice president of the club."
In the next green pen over her brother, Brady Peters, worked with pig Huckleberry. They spend about 10 to 15 minutes each day training their pigs. It's his fifth year showing pigs.
"The fair and showing the pig," Peters said, are his favorite part of the process. "You get to hang out with your friends and show of how much you've been working with your pig."
Brady, who turns 13 on market day on Saturday, and Madison agreed on how to handle their pigs in the ring.
"Make good eye contact," Brady said. "Be in front of the judge and don't let the pig run into the judge. The pigs don't like to listen, but you have to make them listen."
Deputy Editor Heidi Desch can be reached at 406-758-4421 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.
Competitors move their pigs around the ring during the swine showmanship competition inside the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Aug. 10 during the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo. (Heidi Desch/Daily Inter Lake)
Joe Barone works his pig around the ring during the swine showmanship competition inside the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Aug. 10 during the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo. (Heidi Desch/Daily Inter Lake)
Competitors walk their pigs between the pens inside the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Aug. 10 during the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo. (Heidi Desch/Daily Inter Lake)
Madison Peters works her pig around the ring during the swine showmanship competition inside the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Aug. 10 during the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo. (Heidi Desch/Daily Inter Lake)
Shianne Benson competes with her pig Brute in the senior novice division for showmanship inside the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Aug. 10 during the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo. (Heidi Desch/Daily Inter Lake)
Katie Bicha directs Stapleton around the ring during the swine showmanship competition inside the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Aug. 10 during the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo. (Heidi Desch/Daily Inter Lake)
Brady Peters guides pig Huckleberry during competition inside the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Aug. 10 during the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo. (Heidi Desch/Daily Inter Lake)ARTICLES BY HEIDI DESCH
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