Ham Rodeo event draws crowd

The wild piglets gave a loud show as older children gave chase and most of the time got the little hogs.

The Bandera Ham Rodeo has been an event of many names over the years, from the original Wild Hog Explosion to Bacon Bash.

The Bandera Wranglers have been working hard to keep that tradition going, officials said.

President Lynch said the event was able to happen because the Bandera Wranglers beat a lawsuit against PETA last year, bringing it back this year after not holding the event since 2020.

“The event changed from two days to one partly because we have an all new board. We hope to grow and hope to make an even more family friendly,” said Lynch.

Rodeo buckles went to winners in each competition category.

In the co-ed lightweight category (15-25 lb. hogs; 10-15), the team of Anisa Weltens and Andrew Weltens were named the Grand Champion Team. Ty Bierschwele and Roudy Dean were the Reserve Champion Team.

In the female-only middleweight category (35-55 lb. hogs, ages 16-19), Kortni Langlinais and Kata Haas were this year’s Grand Champion Team. The Reserve Champion Team were Skye Fields and Lynlle Wallace.

In the co-ed middle weight category for ages 16-19, Grand Champion Team went to Daine and Westin Grabs, while Reserve Champion was awarded to Ralph Camasco and Logan Grahahm.

In the co-ed heavyweight category (35-55 lb hogs, any age) Gage Edwards and Kortni Langlinais won Grand Champion, while Christian Rodriguez and Alex Bengal won Reserve Grand Champion.