Mackay Show Pig Comedy Races gives punters a chance to win

Norah Gilmore’s Comedy Pig Races has come to Mackay for the first time, giving showgoers a guaranteed laugh and the chance of a win.

Unlike their tails, the Pig Comedy Race was tight straight out of the gate.

The race of aporkalyptic proportions began with the pink-saddled pig taking the lead on the first bend.

The crowd sizzled with anticipation as the brown and purple-saddled competitors began to close in as they raced toward the prize – a gooey pot of caramel milk.

Nora GIlmore's Pig Comedy Races at the 2021 Makay Show. Picture: Lillian Watkins

Alas the finish was not pigture perfect as the crowd favourite pink pig was ham-bushed at the final bend as competitors took a shortcut through the fence.

Brown pig took the win – this time.

The race is held every few hours and entails seven little pigs sporting different coloured jackets running to the centre of a spiral.

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Entertainer Norah Gilmore warming up the crowd at the Comedy Pig Races at the Mackay Show including sisters (from left on the grandstand): Charlotte Glover, 17, Ella Glover, 14, Alyssa Glover, 11, Holly Glover, 4, and Hannah Glover, 8 with their aunt Jemma Osbourne. June 16, 2021. Picture: Heidi Petith

“It’s a bit of a calcutta, I give out about 100 tickets and draw seven out of a hat,” Mrs Gilmore said.

“The winners get to pick their pig for the race and give it a name.”

Galina Pendergast, 3, Conor Lisciandro, 3, and Jaxon Pendergast, 3, at the Comedy Pig Races at the Mackay Show, June 16, 2021. Picture: Heidi Petith

Mrs Gilmore said prizes didn’t just go to the fastest pig.

“We do a competition for the best name,” she said.

“We get a Pepper, Babe and George at every show, but then we also get cheeky ones with people using their mother-in-law’s name.

“It’s all a bit of old fashioned Australian humour.”

Pig Comedy Race times at the 2021 Mackay Show. Picture: Lillian Watkins

The races are scheduled for 3pm, 4pm and 5pm on Wednesday and 10am, noon, and 2pm on Thursday.

Mrs Gilmore said it was the first time she had brought Comedy Pig Races to the Mackay Show.

Colby Marschke, 1, of Bucasia at the Comedy Pig Races at the Mackay Show, June 16, 2021. Picture: Heidi Petith

“It’s fabulous that people are coming out to support the show, especially after last year with Covid-19, it hit us really hard,” she said.

“Smiling faces is what we missed the most, we really appreciate all the effort that has gone in to putting the show on.”

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Originally published as Mackay Show Pig Comedy Races gives punters a chance to win