Nothing Like It Around the World, Oregon Coast's Pig N' Ford Races at 100 Years

Published 07/29/25 at 5:45 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Tillamook, Oregon) - What began as a kooky experience in the early 1920s has evolved into one of Oregon’s most peculiar and enduring traditions: the Pig n’ Ford Races. It is indeed one of a kind in the world. No one else around the globe engages in this wacky sport – or pastime – or whatever it is. The Pig n' Ford Races aren't held anywhere but in Oregon's Tillamook Coast area.

This unusual contest is by admission of its own participants “a redneck” thing – and it's turning one hundred years old.

Always a part of the fair, this time around, the Tillamook County Fair begins on Wednesday, August 6.

“It's a big year so be sure to come to the races, held every evening at 5:30pm, August 6-9 at the Tillamook County Fair,” said organizers on social.

The idea behind the Pig 'n Ford Races is somewhat simple: race on foot to grab a pig, crank up your Model T, hop in and race around the track to put the pig back. That's right: a big and an old Model T Ford.

It was back in the 1925 that local Oregon coastie Joe Bell unintentionally sowed the seeds of the competition when he retrieved a stray pig using his Ford Model T. The tale of Bell crank-starting his car while clutching the squealing animal quickly gained traction among friends and neighbors, sparking the idea. Someone then proposed turning this random action into a whole contest – and everyone apparently wholeheartedly agreed.

In its informal beginnings, the races welcomed anyone willing to give it a try. But by the early 1950s, the pastime had become organized with the formation of the Model T Pig n’ Fords Association. Ten franchises were established, and remarkably, those same franchises remain in place today - many still operated by descendants of their original owners.

Early versions of the races were more prank-filled and relaxed, sometimes bordering on chaos. Safety incidents weren’t uncommon, with stories of flipped vehicles and off-track excursions dotting the early years. Over time, the association began emphasizing safety measures. Even franchise owners are now tasked with monitoring the course for issues.

How the animals are handled also changed over the decades. Until about the '80s, pigs as heavy as 70 pounds were used, which was problematic in terms of controlling the little critter. Now, weight limits are more like 40 pounds max.

It turns out, the old joke about wrestling pigs is true: it is hard.

In the '70s, rules came into play to prevent suping up the ancient rigs too much.

Now in its 100th year, the Pig n’ Fords event remains a curious blend of history, horsepower, and squeals - part celebration, part contest, and all Oregon coast.

See more at the Tillamook Coast page

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