Guinea pig exploring the pignic[source]
Guinea pig pignics have quickly become the go-to event for guinea pig enthusiasts around the country, and they’re only getting bigger.
Starting in the late 1990s by a hard-working group of breeders and guinea pig owners, pignics have started appearing all over the place, thanks to the hard work of Tammy Raabe, blogger and guinea pig mouthpiece extraordinaire at CavyMadness.com, who helps others organize pignics in their local communities. Raabe organized one of the Boston area’s first guinea pig pignics, and today the Boston Are Pignic draws large crouds and plenty of happy piggies from areas all across the Greater Boston area.
Pignics: What To Expect
Guinea pig pignics are loads of fun! Each pignic is unique, but there’s a common thread that unites each gathering: education, fellowship, and fun! Most pignics feature guinea pig contests like best costume, wildest hair contests, fastest treat eater, and a myriad of other clever competitions.
Each pignic also follows strict rules of etiquette, like “Pigs do not always play well for others”, among other easy-to-follow rules which helps each pignic attract a diverse group of people and pigs while minimizing trauma and foul pig play.
In addition to the fun and excitement, many pignics arrange for an educational speakers and almost all offer guinea pig experts on hand to help you with common cavy care questions. Sometimes you can even get a free nail trim and ear cleaning for your fuzzy friend!
Looking for some fun this summer? Check out this year’s pignics below!
For more details on each event, please use the contact information below to get in touch with a specific pignic organizer.
Party on, piggy people!
2013 Pignics
Illinois
Critter Corral/Chicago Area Pignic
Date: Sunday, June 2, 2013, 12:00 PM
Location: Bemis Woods Park, Grove #5 [map]
Contact: Rose or Maegan
Critter Corral Open House
Date: November
Location: The Willard Wood Park Center
Contact: Rose
Florida
Crazy Cavies South Florida Pignic
Date: Unknown
Location: Tradewinds Park, Elfin Shelter [map]
Contact: email; 954-547-3201
Tampa Bay Pignic
Date: Unknown
Contact: Dana or Deb
California
SoCal Pignic
Date: Sunday, June 30, 2013, 12pm
Location: Irvine Animal Care Center [map]
Contact: Michiko Vartanian
Bay Area Pignic
Date: Saturday, September 14, 2013 10am-2pm
Location: Cuesta Park [map]
Contact: Facebook
Georgia
Georgia PigStock
Date: April 27, 2013
Contact: Lisa, Atlanta Metro Guinea Pig Rescue
More information: here
Maine
Animal Refuge Leage Pignic
Date: Unknown
Location: Animal Refuge League [map]
Contact: Stephanie Umbro
Maryland
MGPR PIGstravaganza
Date: Sunday September 29th
Location: Reisterstown Regional Park [map]
Contact: Deb Jackson, Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue
Pignic in the Park
Date: Saturday, September 28, 2013
Location: Hager Park [map]
Minnesota
Minnesota Pignic
Date: Unknown
Sponsored by Twin Cities Guinea Pig Rescue
Contact: Allysse
Ohio
Ohio Valley PA Pignic
Date: Unknown
Location: Settler’s Cabin Park [map]
Contact: Angel
Texas
Houston TX Pignic
Date: Unknown
Contact: Carla or Monica
Washington
Pignic for Foggy Creek Cavy Rescue
Date: September 4, 2013
Location: Game Farm Park [map]
Contact: Facebook
Pennsylvania
Lower Burrel Pignic
Date: Saturday October 5, 2013 at 1:00pm
Location: Lower Burrell Lake Park, pavilion #4 [map]
Contact: Facebook
Australia
Australian Cavy Sanctuary
Date: Unknown
Contact: Jessica
Canada
St. Thomas Ontario Pignic
Date: Unknown
Contact: Selina
Toronto Pignic
Date: Unknown
Contact: Stephanie
Pignics: Organize Your Own
Don’t see a pignic in your area? Start your own!
Tammy Raabe, expert pignic planner, hosts a wealth of resources on how to get started. From planning direction to pignic etiquiette, check out Pignic Central on Facebook.
