[ WEEKEND ]
HAMBONE EXPRESS
You think traveling with an infant is tough; try traveling with 16 pigs. Steve Boger made the crossing from California in five days by ship, tending to the pigs' every need in a 53-foot-long trailer equipped with special misters to keep them cool on the long journey -- all for the sake of keeping Farm Fair goers entertained the next three weekends. Hams in a hurry
Oreo-craving pigs show their competitive
edge on the Farm Fair trackThe Schedule
Star-Bulletin staff
The pigs are the stars of the Boger's Hambone Express. Steve and his wife Kathy raise them to race at fairs across the country. And nothing works better than Oreos at raising an oinker's competitive spirit.
At least moving pigs is easier than moving mountain lions, buffalo and horses, as Boger and his wife Kathy did before deciding to streamline.
"My husband and I are from rodeo families," Kathy explained from the comfort of her hotel room while Steve was still crossing the Pacific with his porcine pals. "We'd show buffaloes, mountain lions and paint horses, and someone from Ringling Bros. Circus saw us, so for four years we were with them, the Barnum & Bailey Circus."
As much as she liked being on the road, the time came for her to settle down on the family's 36-acre spread in Arkansas to homeschool the couple's three children, and Steve took the show on the road himself. But it was difficult to handle all those giant critters without Kathy's help. That's when he decided to go with the compact pigs.
The pigs range in age from 4 months to a year old. "After that they're too big to fit through the starting chute," Kathy said. "People laugh when they see them. They come down ramps, then Steve rings a bell and they run real fast. They can outrun a dog, maybe not a greyhound, but some are pretty fast.
With 4H livestock exhibit, E.K. Fernandez midway of rides and games, Meadow Gold petting zoo, orchid and plant sales, and special shows and exhibitions every day State Farm Fair
Where: Aloha Stadium
When: July 19 to 21, 26 to 28 and Aug. 1 to 4; hours are 6 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Aug. 1 and noon to midnight Saturdays and Sundays
Admission: $3 adults; $1.50 children 5 to 12; free for under 5; parking is $3 per vehicle at Aloha Stadium
"And they like the crowds. The louder they cheer, the faster they run. Each one has its own little personality. One pig would stop right in front of the crowd, make a little circle and continue running. He was a little show ham."
When it's time to trade the current crop of racers for the next, the Bogers donate them to 4H students to breed or train.
With her oldest child now in college, the second now staging buffalo shows at rodeos and the youngest in 6th grade, Kathy has no doubt she'll be returning to the road. "It's nice to stay home a while, but we're used to traveling. You miss it."
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THE SCHEDULE
EVERY DAY
The Hawaii Agricultural Experience
Aquaculture Adventure: Live fish and shellfish tanks, limu touch tanks, product demos and taste samplings.Beekeeping in Hawaii: Learn about the pure attributes of Hawaii's bees. Find out about beekeeping and the art of honeymaking as a hobby or for business.
Cherish the Water (E malama i ka wai): Learn about our island's water supply.
Country Market: Bargains galore on fresh produce from Hawaii.
Hawaii Grown -- Taste Our Own!: Sample the wealth of fresh island produce Hawaii has to offer, including Kona coffee, pineapples, papayas, melons, salad greens, macadamia nuts, bananas, kava, lavender and more.
Lush, luxurious landscaping: See how professional landscapers can create an oasis, even in a parking lot!
HAWAII STATE FARM FAIR
This year's State Farm Fair, as in years past, promises lots of rides and games for the keiki, plus fun stuff for big kids, a k a mom and dad, such as cooking demonstrations, plant sales and more.
THE LEARNING CENTER
Free demonstrations, hands-on classes and keiki activities. (See daily listings for programs and times. Hands-on classes are limited to 20 per class -- first come, first serve.)
Made in Hawaii with Aloha: Hawaii products for purchase.
Orchid & Plant Sale: Hawaii's budding industry on display. Fabulous flora, ready for you to take home.
Start Living Healthy: Easy tips to help improve your health, feel better and live longer!
Unwelcome intruders: Learn about alien species and their impact on Hawaii's unique environment.
TODAY
Free admission for two with empty half-gallon carton of Meadow Gold or Viva Milk
6 to 9 p.m. -- 4-H Swine and beef showmanship and show
6:30 p.m. -- How to set up an aquarium: David Yoshishige, Hawaii Aquarium Society
7, 8 and 9 p.m. -- Hambone Express shows
7:10 to 9:30 p.m. -- Generation Kikaida show: Meet Ban Daisuke a k a Jiro
7 to 10:15 p.m. -- See Kikaida/Kikaida 01 and Scooby Doo for picture-taking with your favorite characters
8 p.m. -- Basic Culture of Succulent & Cactus: Hands-on demonstration with Ron Fitch, Cactus & Succulent Society of Hawaii
HAWAII STATE FARM FAIR
Two chomp into a watermelon eating contest at last year's state Farm Fair.
TOMORROW
Unlimited rides from noon to 6 p.m. with $15 wristband; Kikaida bookcover to first 1,000 fairgoers
Noon to 2:30 p.m. -- 4-H market lamb and dairy heifer showmanship and show
Noon to 5 p.m. -- Raising Koi, Goldfish & Water Plants for Ponds: Hawaii Carp & Goldfish Association
4, 6, 8 and 10 p.m. -- Hambone Express shows
5:30 p.m. -- 4-H Livestock Parade
5, 6 and 7 p.m. -- Generation Kikaida Show
5:10 to 7:30 p.m. -- Meet Ban Daisuke, a k a Jiro: Autographs, posters, more
5 to 8:15 p.m. -- Kikaida/ Kikaida 01/Scooby Doo: Picture-taking with your favorite characters
6 to 9 p.m. -- 4-H dairy heifer, beef steer, market barrow and lamb auction, main arena
6:30 p.m. -- Lei Making with Dendrobiums: Hands-on demonstration with Jean Takemoto; repeats at 8:30 p.m.
SUNDAY
Noon to 5 p.m. -- Keiki Games & Crafts: Honolulu Board of Water Supply
3 to 9 p.m. -- Meadow Gold PEP, ice cream and cookies, and Starbucks Frappuccino and coffee on sale
4, 6, 8 and 10 p.m. -- Hambone Express shows
4 to 6:30 -- Meadow Gold Healthy Baby Contest Finals featuring music by Forté
6 p.m. -- Del Beazley & Dwight Kanai perform
6:30-9 p.m. -- Scooby Doo: picture taking with the movie dog star
6:30 p.m. -- Indoor Plant Care: Susan Matsushima, Alluvion, Inc.
7 p.m. -- Touch of Gold in concert
8 p.m. -- Donut-eating contest
8 p.m. -- Basic Orchid Culture: Hands-on workshop with Arron Araki, Honolulu Orchid Society
8:30 p.m. -- Backyard Paina performs
9 p.m. -- Ernie Cruz & Friends in concert
JULY 26
Free rose from Watanabe Floral to first 500 ladies
6:30 p.m. -- Propagation of Native Plants: Amy Tsuneyoshi, Board of Water Supply
7 p.m. -- Roy Sakuma's Ukulele Super Keiki perform
7, 8 and 9 p.m. -- Hambone Express shows
7:30 p.m. -- Mr. Van Ray in concert
7:30 and 8:30 p.m. -- Puppet Time Show with Christy Lipps; in Annex
8 p.m. -- Saimin Eating Contest
8 p.m. -- Water Lilies for Tubs & Ponds: Kevin Mulkern, Mulkern Landscaping
9 p.m. -- TOA in concert
HAWAII STATE FARM FAIR
Hypnotist De'Anna entrances with her "Get Hyp Show," 7 and 9 p.m. Aug. 1.
JULY 27
Unlimited rides from noon to 6 p.m. with $15 wristband; free five-pound bag Diamond G rice to first 500 families
Noon to 5 p.m. -- The Tilapia Challenge: DOA, Aquaculture Development Program
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. -- Island Rhythm's Pau Hana Party and Amateur Hula Competition with entertainment and contests
3, 5 and 7 p.m. -- Puppet Time Show with Christy Lipps; in Annex
4, 6, 8 and 10 p.m. -- Hambone Express shows
6:30 p.m. -- Flower arranging with Jerry Rivera and Pat Lagon
7 p.m. -- Pali performs
7:30 p.m. -- B.E.T. in concert
8 p.m. -- Watermelon-eating concert
8 p.m. -- Flower arranging with Jerry Rivera and Pat Lagon
8:30 p.m. -- Kanalo performs
9 p.m. -- Vaihi in concert
JULY 28
Admission is 50 cents from noon to 6 p.m. if you bring one empty Pepsi can; most rides available for two or three coupons from noon to 6 p.m.
Noon-5 p.m. -- Keiki Experiences - World of Bugs: UH, Entomology Dept.
1 to 3 p.m. -- FM-100 All-Hawaii Baby Crawl: WIN Great Prizes!
3, 5 and 7 p.m. -- Puppet Time Show with Christy Lipps; in Annex
4, 6, 8 and 10 p.m. -- Hambone Express shows
5 to 7 p.m. -- KINE keiki ukulele contest, featuring Kapena
6:30 p.m. -- Basic Anthurium Culture: Hands-on demonstration with Richard Okubo, Hawaiian Anthurium Society
7 p.m. -- Koa Uka performs
7:30 p.m. -- Augie T on Stage
8 p.m. -- Hot dog-eating contest
8 p.m. -- General Bromeliad Culture: Hands-on demonstration with Marty Lum, Hawaii Bromeliad Society
8:30 p.m. -- Ho'okena in concert
AUG. 1
Unlimited rides all night with $15 wristband; bring your military I.D. and get free admission for up to four people
6:30 p.m. -- Haku Lei Making: Hands-on workshop with Joyce Spoehr, Honolulu Botanical Gardens
7 and 9 p.m. -- "Get Hyp Show" featuring hypnotist De'Anna
7, 8 and 9 p.m. -- Hambone Express shows
7:30 p.m. -- Sunshine Generation performs
8 p.m. -- Neem Trees: Hank Liljrdahl, Neem Trees of Hawaii
8:30 p.m. -- 25th Infantry Division Band in concert
AUG. 2
6:30 p.m. -- Hawaiian-Style Money Folding (bring your own dollar bills): Jodi Fukumoto, author of "Hawaiian-Style Money Folds"
7 p.m. -- Kaala Boys perform
7 and 9 p.m. -- "Get Hyp Show" featuring hypnotist De'Anna
7, 8 and 9 p.m. -- Hambone Express shows
8 p.m. -- Andagi Eating Contest
8 p.m. -- Vegetable Growing in Containers: Hands-on demonstration with Mark Takemoto, Dole Plantation
8:30 p.m. -- Hawaiian Time
Click for online
calendars and events.
