Oasis Academy FFA hosted its annual “Kiss the Pig” fundraiser again this year at the Cantaloupe Festival. Always a fan favorite, the event has five dedicated community members compete against each other to raise money for the FFA chapter.
This year’s candidates were well-known faces around the community: Colby Frey owner of Frey Ranch Distillery, Pete Homa local dairyman, Nicole Dooley from the City of Fallon, Dakota Groom middle school teacher at Oasis Academy, and Matthew Davis from the Fallon Police Department.
Community members donated funds toward their “votes” for the candidate they wanted to see kiss the pig. In the end, the person with the highest total was the winner to kiss the pig.
FFA members shared that the fundraiser is more than just a laugh—it helps support student projects, leadership events, and travel opportunities throughout the year.
“The community always shows up for us,” said Jackie Bogdanowicz, FFA Advisor. “It’s one of the most fun fundraisers we do, and people remember it.”
Towards the end of the Festival on Sunday afternoon a crowd gathered to see who would be this year’s chosen “pig kisser.” Colby Frey ended up the winner and kissed the pig first. Thanks to the generosity of supporters though, more funds were raised and each candidate was auctioned off to also kiss the pig. Approximately $800 was raised.
Bogdanowicz thanked the candidates for their good humor and community spirit.
“It takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there for something like this,” she said. “They help make the event such a success and remind us how supportive Fallon is of its youth and agriculture.”