Pigs perform tricks at fair

Nelly the pig may soon give Babe a run for his money. Her owners call her the smartest pig in the world, and Wednesday she stole the show at the Livestock Area of the Orange County Fair.

Nelly has been featured on Animal Planet, the “Today Show,� the “Late Show with David Letterman,� and various nightly news programs. Wednesday, she proved to be quite the athlete. With the aid of her catapult, she played catch with one of the audience members. She later used her snout to play golf, and to push a bowling ball into a cluster of pins. Her trainers, Steve and Priscilla Valentine, were proud.

But Nelly isn’t a simple trick pig; she knows the importance of education. When Priscilla Valentine asked Nelly to spell out what kind of animal she was, the pig promptly selected the letters H-A-M. Pigs are the third smartest animals in the world, she said.

Nelly has probably earned a decent sum of money in her 17 years. But Nelly isn’t one to splurge. When Priscilla gave her a handsome $20 bill, Nelly walked over to a piggy bank and placed the bill inside.

According to the trainers, the key to teaching the pigs is food.

“The most toughest trick to teach was probably the spelling one,� Steve said. “That probably took Nelly about a year to learn. My wife trains them by repetition. Pigs are very food-oriented, so if they are given a treat when they perform the trick, they’ll eventually learn.�

Nelly and the other pigs entertained the audience well.

“I liked watching the pigs jump through the hoop,� said Rebekah Negrete. “They were so cute. One pig didn’t want to listen, but that just made the act funnier.�

Negrete’s husband, Gregory, also liked the show.

“My favorite part was when the pig ducked under the stool as part of a [pretend] earthquake drill.�

The performing pigs were a part of the Think Pig! Exhibit at the fair. Nelly’s stage was surrounded by facts and displays relating to the animals.

“Pigs have really become a part of our American culture,� said Helen Curtis. “Take, for example, hot dogs.�

At back of the exhibit was a timeline about the role of pigs in human history.

“I was interested to learn about how pigs have been used in modern medicine,� said Jack Segal. “People usually think of them as a food source. But I think it’s fascinating that pig arteries have been used to treat humans, and that insulin used to come from pigs.�

Nelly’s performance gave further proof that pigs are smarter than they seem. When her trainer asked Nelly what she wanted to tell the audience, the pig gave Priscilla Valentine a paper that read, “Eat more [cow] beef.�

For more photos, click here.

Things To Do

Performing Pigs

Nelly the performing pig has appeared on various TV programs, including the “Late Show with David Letterman� and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno�. Nelly will be performing at the 2 p.m., 5 p.m., and 8 p.m. in the Livestock Area.

Wear Your Art

This contest will be here for one day only! Wear your art at the Ralphs Fair Family Way from 12 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. to be in the contest.

OC Gymnasts

The Team OC Gymnasts will be performing at the 6 p.m. at the Park Plaza. No extra entrance fee required.

They Said It

“I liked the fair games, especially basketball. Before I leave, I want to go back for more rides.�

— Julissa Julio, 11

“My favorite part of the fair has been the rides (I think my favorite one was called the Zoomer). Before I leave, I want to ride a pony.�

— Janelle Julio, 13