By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Remember when the life-size pig statues made their debut in a parade held in Geneseo in July of 2006, and remained on the scene in front of or inside of local businesses?

The Pigs on Parade was held in July of 2006 in Geneseo and each pig entered the parade on a hayrack….But where are those pig statues now?

The pig project was sponsored by the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce in an effort to draw customers to Geneseo businesses. Several area businesses each sponsored a pig statue, which was decorated to reflect the business by local artists. The pig statues were coated with a clear sealant to protect them from the elements and were on display near their sponsoring businesses until, not sure when, but what we do know is they disappeared, and some have reappeared.

The statue that once greeted people entering the Geneseo Republic office on West First St., is now located inside the offices of Geneseo Current and Dalcon Todd Productions.

DeMaranville said his nine-year-old daughter Anna, has named the pig “Liberty.”

Some residents and some visitors to Geneseo have inquired as to where the pigs have gone?

Even though it isn’t certain as to where the pigs have gone, several people have mentioned that they are in hopes many of the pig statues will reappear this spring and summer.

Katie Kutsunis of Four Seasons and Pegasus was instrumental in bringing the pig project to Geneseo and she served as chairman of the Chamber of Commerce committee organizing the pig sculptures.

The pigs were made of fiberglass so they were often out in the summer and stored in the winter.

Kutsunis said the idea had been seen by her father, George Kutsunis, and his friend, Jerry Deutsch, in another community and they shared with her that it would be fun to create that sense of community in Geneseo.

Business owners were able to purchase a “naked” pig statue and have it decorated to promote their business. Many of the themes of the pig statues were designed by members of the Geneseo Art League.

“We wanted to pick an animal that represented our agricultural environment and we thought a pig statue was a fun way to have a blank canvas for the project,” she said. “At one point, we had a pig passport and people would take a pix of themselves with the pig and if they completed the passport, and had pictures of themselves with all 11 pigs, they were entered to win into a contest to win a Chamber Gift Certificate.”

She said the pigs, which were attached to concrete bases, were on display inside area businesses and outside of the businesses for eight to 10 years.

“They are very lightweight and can easily be moved,” Kutsunis added.

There were 11 pigs introduced at the Pigs on Parade in 2006:

-DHCU Community Credit Union, 1090 South Congress; Artist Mike Schmalz and the sculpture name “ImaMemBoar.”

-Geneseo Republic, 108 West First St., Artist Pauline Swanson and the sculpture name “I.M. Read.”

-Geneseo Chamber of Commerce with sculpture placed in front of Geneseo Art League at 113 North State St., Artist Kathy Williams and the sculpture name “Leaf It Up!”

-Lavender Crest Winery, 5401 US HWY 6; Artist Barb Walters and the sculpture name “D’Vine Swine.”

-All In Stitches, now Mango Merch + All In Stitches, 100 E. Main St.; Artist Jason Dahl and the sculpture name “Pig In Stitches.”

-FORMER Roy’s Taco House, 732 N. College, Hwy. 82 North; Artist Ct White and the sculpture’s name “Roy’s Taco The Town Pig.”

-Crippen Reid & Bowen LLC, 810 South Chicago St.; Artist Kris Love and the sculpture name “Mr. Pig, CPA.”

-Lifetime Eyecare, 112 South Center St.; Artist LeAnn Wildermuth and the sculpture name “Iris “Check yearly, pig sees clearly.”

-Wells Fargo Bank, IL NA, 121 West First St.; Artist Paul Terpening and the sculpture name “Penny Pig.”

-Four Seasons, At the Crosswalk in downtown Geneseo; Artist Lisa Mahar and the sculpture name “Fashion Faux Pig.”

-The Cellar, 137 S. State St.; Artist Sheilah Wigant McGee and the sculpture name “Pork Chop.”