Holy cow...what fine swine you have

When I heard this year's edition of the Peterborough Exhibition is featuring the Pig Mobile, I thought some of my Toronto Italian friends from my high school days were visiting for the weekend.
The Pig Mobile, as it turns out, is a wheeled homage to all things swine, showing our pork friends in their various stages of growth. I'm hoping that the neigbouring booth isn't serving back bacon. That would just be cruel.
The Peterborough Ex is an incredible 162 years old. While it has evolved away from the primary agricultural fair it once was, the organizers deserve credit for trying to stay true to those roots with horse and cow shows, and an agri-educational component.
But Peterborough's fair, like all others, is about making money. What brings folks through the gate are midway rides and games along with the demolition derby. The merit of paying $7 to watch a cow munch on grass or a pig slop in mud is a non-issue.
Growing up in Toronto, the CNE was the highlight of my youthful summers. I delivered newspapers, cashed in pop bottles and cut neighbours' lawns to pad my pockets with cash for THE day. I can't remember being more excited. I suspect it's much the same for area youths when Peterborough Ex time rolls around, although the money padding their pockets seems to come a lot easier.
Whether you're a fan of farm animals and processes or simply need to be Tilt-a-Whirled until you're green, you have to respect the Peterborough Ex's ability to re-invent itself and stay relevant to the tune of some 12,000 visitors last year. That's an elder worthy of respect.