Elgin’s Hogeye Festival Returns October 22–24 With Music, Art and Downtown Traditions
Elgin’s 39th annual Hogeye Festival fills downtown from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, October 24, with free admission. Music, handmade crafts, food, a children’s pet parade, a car and bike show, and the Sowpremes are part of the celebration.
Start the weekend early
Thursday, October 22 brings the Hogeye Stroll from 5–9 p.m., the Pearls Before Swine art-show opening, and a hog-calling contest at Smash Daddies. Contest registration begins at 5 p.m.; entry is donation-based.
On Friday, October 23, the dessert contest takes place at HTC Freight Depot, 114 Central Avenue. Registration starts at 5 p.m., judging at 7 p.m., and awards at 8 p.m. The Depot Street dance runs from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Saturday includes two entertainment stages, children’s activities, the pork cook-off and vintage farm equipment. Free wheelchair-accessible shuttle buses are planned. Consult the official festival page for updates and the proposed 2026 traffic plan when arranging downtown travel.
A celebration that supports downtown
Local volunteers and business sponsors help the Elgin Main Street Board produce the festival. Its proceeds support downtown improvements, including public art, sidewalks, ramps, benches and planters, along with business grants and training. That connection to downtown preservation is part of Hogeye’s purpose, outlined in the festival fact sheet.
Johnny Krenek has been connected to community news since childhood, growing up alongside the family business his parents founded—Krenek Printing. Today, he serves as Vice President and lead developer for My Neighborhood News, where he drives the digital experience and supports the team across a variety of technical and operational roles. He is passionate about building tools that help connect neighbors and strengthen communities.
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