Special Olympic athletes from across Iowa will take center stage at the Iowa State Fair's Bacon Buddies® pig show on Saturday, August 15. With the support of Iowa FFA and 4-H mentors, athletes will proudly showcase their pigs in the Swine Barn during one of the Fair's most inspiring and heartwarming events.
Now in its seventh year at the Iowa State Fair, the Bacon Buddies® show is a partnership between the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) and Special Olympics Iowa (SOI). The program pairs individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities with 4-H and FFA youth, creating a memorable opportunity to experience the excitement of showing pigs on one of Iowa's biggest stages.
"Bacon Buddies is one of the most rewarding events we participate in all year," said IPPA President Dean Frazer, a pig farmer from Conrad. "Caring for people is one of the We Care ethical principles that guide Iowa pig farmers, and Bacon Buddies is one of the many ways we put that commitment into action.”
Each Special Olympics athlete is paired with two 4-H or FFA mentors who provide guidance on pig care, showmanship, and interacting with judges while building friendships that often extend well beyond the fairgrounds.
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