WOODSTOCK, Va. — Oscar-nominated actor and animal-rights advocate James Cromwell has asked the Shenandoah County Fair to cancel its annual pig scramble — an event in which children attempt to catch piglets.
The Shenandoah County Fair is scheduled for August 28 through September 5, 2026.
Cromwell, an honorary board member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, sent a letter in July to fair manager Dawn Burch urging officials to replace the event.
The actor, who appeared in the 1995 film “Babe,” wrote that his experience making the movie changed how he viewed pigs.
He argued that the piglets used in the scramble experience fear and can be injured when they are chased, tackled, grabbed or dragged.
The full text of Cromwell’s letter is below:
Dear Ms. Burch:
I’m writing with a heavy heart about the Shenandoah County Fair’s “pig scramble.”
It’s difficult to fathom that tiny pigs—some just six weeks old—are trucked for up to three hours, only to be released into a chaotic pen where they are chased, grabbed, and overwhelmed by a crowd of children.
What should be a place of community pride has instead become a scene of fear for the most vulnerable.
My own life was changed decades ago by a pig named Babe.
Through him, I came to understand what science has long confirmed: pigs are sensitive, intelligent individuals.
They form bonds, feel joy, and experience fear just as deeply as the dogs and cats we cherish.
When we look into their eyes, we are looking into a being who wants to live, to feel safe, to be free from harm.
That is not what awaits the piglets at this event. Imagine their terror—taken from everything familiar, surrounded by noise and confusion, then pursued and handled roughly by dozens of hands.
Veterinary experts have made it clear that this kind of treatment causes real suffering: injuries, both visible and unseen, and lasting trauma.
Traditions should bring out the best in us. They should reflect our values and teach our children compassion, not indifference to another’s pain. Surely, Shenandoah County can create something just as joyful and far more humane—an event that families can celebrate without causing fear and injury to animals.
I urge you to let this be the moment when the fair turns a page.
Please end the pig scramble and replace it with something that aligns with the kindness and respect that so many in your community hold dear.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
James Cromwell
PETA representatives claim they also reached out to Burch in early July and offered to sponsor a “spud run,” “tater trot” or another animal-free activity to replace the pig scramble.
According to PETA media contact Moira Colley, the organization did not receive a response to Cromwell’s letter or alternative activity suggestions.
What Shenandoah County Fair organizers are touting as “Virginia’s Largest Pig Scramble” is still scheduled for Wednesday.
Other advocacy groups are organizing peaceful protests to be held during the fair.
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