A new team, breed of racing pigs return to the Aldergrove Fair

Lazy Acres Farm owner speaks about the weekend’s focus on animals and agriculture

A new team, breed of racing pigs return to the Aldergrove Fair Published 9:00 am Sunday, July 12, 2026 The pig races are back at the Aldergrove Fair, and this year’s stars have already been training. Lazy Acres Pig Farm will return for its second year of pig racing at the fair, bringing a new group of piglets to the Aldergrove Kinsmen Park Field during the July 17 to 19 event.

Allyson Philip, owner and operations manager of the farm, said race times will be announced by fair organizers, but visitors can expect races every two to three hours. “We have a new run of piglets for races this year,” she said. “They’re a different breed, actually, so they’re all Berkshire piglets.”

The black-and-white piglets are slightly smaller than last year’s racers. Between eight and 10 pigs will rotate through the races, depending on the weather and how the animals are doing throughout the day. Before they ever reach the starting gate, the piglets spend months preparing.

“They’re trained at least a minimum of two months prior to the fair,” Philip said. “These ones that we’re racing have already been racing at Academy Farms.” Academy Farms is a water buffalo and bison farm in Langley that also operates as a charitable foundation supporting people struggling with addiction.

Training happens twice a day, with food providing the motivation. “The way that they’re trained is that at the end of their race they get their food,” explained Philip. “So it’s kind of like breakfast and dinner for them.”

While it takes time in the beginning, the pigs quickly catch on. “After a couple of weeks, they get it pretty quickly,” Philip said. “As soon as you open the gate they know to run for their food.”

The family-run farm, owned by Philip and her husband, Brad, began in 2018 with a single hog raised for their family. Today, they raise more than 200 heritage hogs each year. The couple recently expanded the business by opening the Heritage Pork Shop farm store and will also have their Pork N’ Honey BBQ Co. food truck at the fair.

When it comes to the pig races, Philip sees them as more than just entertainment. “I think the fair as a whole gives people a good idea of the versatility of what you can do off the farm,” she said. “So you’re not just raising the animals, but you’re really engaging the community in the fun things like pig races and interacting with the animals themselves.”

Fairgoers will also have a chance to meet, brush and pet some of the pigs up close. Philip said many people are surprised by the personalities of the pigs. “A lot of people think pigs are scary or aggressive,” she said.

“Really, they’re all different. I always compare them to dogs in a way, where they’re all individual, and it all depends on how they’re treated and how much time you spend with them.” For Philip, connecting with fairgoers is the highlight of the weekend.

“It’s all about meeting the public, meeting everyone within our community, and sharing what we do with them,” she said. “We’re passionate about the animals, but so is the community.” The non-profit society Aldergrove Agricultural Fair and Festival Association, incorporated in 1984, focuses on promoting Aldergrove-based agriculture and farming.

People can find more information about the Aldergrove Fair on its Facebook page or online at www.aldergrovefair.ca/. • Watch for more Aldergrove Fair preview stories on this website...