Hogeye tradition grows with Elgin

Elgin transformed into a lively sea of pink this past weekend as the city hosted its 37th annual celebration of swine, and longtime attendees were in agreement — the Hogeye Festival continues to be “bigger and bet ter ” each year.

Thousands flocked downtown to revel in music, food and camaraderie, filling the streets with an unmistakable sense of community spirit. By midday Oct. 26, the city was bustling with visitors savoring Elgin’s unique charm and growing appeal.

This year’s event bene f it ted f rom Veterans Memorial Park’s recent expan- sion, offering room for festivalgoers to spread out and for local vendors to showcase their best creations along Main Street.

“It’s definitely grown a lot, changed for the better for sure,” David Kylberg said, playing with his son on the new downtown swing set. “It used to be confined, and now we have the space we need to do it right.”

Kylberg, a fest ival regular for nearly three decades, was among the returning fairgoers who found the playground make up for the carnival that used to occupy Elgin Memorial Park.

The whole fes t i val felt lively, according to attendees. Throughout the day, two stages hosted talented local musicians who provided a lively soundtrack for shoppers browsing the craft and artisan booths.

“It’s just gotten busier, hustle and bustle, for the better. It’s cool to see Elgin grow,” Hannah Slattery added, cooking up a whole hog with Firewild on Main for donation to area food shelters.

The smell of smokers working overtime at the Gordon Swenson Memorial Pork Cookoff filled the air with the rich aroma of slowcooked pork, drawing hungry visitors from blocks away.

“I think it’s just better. It’s gotten bigger, bigger food, more family oriented,” said Randy of Little Mac’s Smokehouse as he tended to his grill, perfectly summing up the festival’s evolving appeal.

The Hogeye Festival continues to honor its small-town roots while embracing the growth that comes with Elgin’s expanding community. Through the local eats, busy dance floors and packed parades, the festival proved once again why it remains one of Elgin’s most cherished traditions, according to the great pink masses.