EATON, Ohio — The Preble County Pork Festival won the 2012 Pork Promoter of the Year Award at the recent Ohio Pork Congress for its continued efforts in pork promotion.

“That award is given to groups who excel in the promotion of pork,” said Quinton Keeran, spokesperson for the Ohio Pork Producers Council (OPPC).

At one time hogs were Preble County’s biggest agriculture business, said Cassandra Newton, festival president. Her husband, James, is the vice president. The festival began as a Farm/City Day and was held as such for several years.

“We wanted to keep that line open between city people and agriculture people,” Cassandra Newton said. “This is what we do in your county – we’re known for it.”

In 1970 the idea of a pork festival was suggested and four people visited the pork festival in Tipton, Ind., Newton said.

They were Paul Gerstner, county extension agent, George Cummings, Preble County Soil and Water Conservation District, Tim Miller, editor of a local paper, and Herb Tinstman, manager of a local bank. He became the first festival chair, Newton said.

Since then the event has grown, she said. More than 700 crafters and exhibitors fill over 90,000 square feet of space with arts, crafts and other unique items.

The festival is also known for some of the most famous eating around, she said. Visitors have the opportunity to chow down on the famous sausage and pancake breakfasts and open pit grilled pork chops, and a enjoy a massive smorgasbord. This pork can also be purchased at the “County Store” and taken home. The festival sold 45,751 pounds of pork in 2011.

The festival serves as an opportunity for education, Newton said. The Bruner Arena has displays about pork and agriculture. A sow and litter are present and there is a display about pork cuts, pork byproducts, recipes and handouts for kids.

In 2010 and 2011, the OPPC worked with the National Pork Board to bring in the “We Care” trailer and hand out samples of pork. In 2011 OPPC volunteers passed out more than 1,100 pounds (10,000 samples) of boneless pork loin to more than 150,000 people at the festival.

This event is an all-volunteer effort and it takes thousands of them, Newton said. The festival gives back to the community with several scholarships.

She first attended the festival with her dad when she was five years old. Her husband’s grandparents and parents have volunteered. Now her and James’ children volunteer.

“We are four generations volunteering at the festival,” Newton said. “We have a lot of fun. I guess people wouldn’t be coming back year after year if it wasn’t fun.”

The award was sponsored by Ohio’s Country Journal. The Pork Festival is always the third full weekend in September. For information, visit www.porkfestival.org