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DEL.ICIO.USOn Sunday’s menu: Wild hog, Travis Tritt, or both
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Over the last 50 years or so, the Wild Hog Supper has become the way that legislators from across Georgia announce their annual return to the big city of Atlanta.
Kind of like the swallows that visit Capistrano every spring. But with forks.
There are those who speculate that this porcine bacchanalia, held every Sunday night before the Monday morning start of the winter session of the Legislature, started as a public safety measure.
Stuffed and satiated lawmakers tend to be drowsy, and so pose less of a danger to the population at large.
Like evolution, this is merely a theory.
But this Sunday evening, someone else intends to hog the attention. Casey Cagle, set to become the first Republican lieutenant governor in Georgia history, has scheduled his inauguration bash in competition with the Wild Hog Supper.
Travis Tritt, the country music star, will sing for Cagle’s supper, as will Atlanta singer-songwriter Shawn Mullins. And Diana DeGarmo. And the Tams, and a gospel choir, and a college drum-line. The room at the Georgia World Congress Center holds 3,000.
“I’m surprised they are planning something in conflict with something that is an institution,” said Tommy Irvin, the state agriculture commissioner. His department coordinates the Wild Hog Supper.
No offense intended, says Cagle’s people. The lieutenant governor-elect was himself hamstrung by the fact that Gov. Sonny Perdue’s inauguration party on Monday had eclipsed any rival event.
“Certainly we want to be respectful of important events, and tried our best to work around a busy start of the legislative session,” said Jaillene Hunter, communications director for Cagle. She noted that both events are held within a few blocks of one another. “We hope legislators and guests will take full advantage of this by attending each event.”
Irvin, a 77-year-old Democrat who has held his office since 1969, took solace in his November performance. The agriculture commissioner made a point of saying that he got more votes statewide than Cagle did.
Comments
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By NFGuy
January 3, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this
Seems like a bad move on Cagle’s part. Tacky if you ask me. Competing with a long time tradition, and also using the same entertainment as the Gov. one night later.
He’s already running for Gov. in 2010.
By Bill in Decatur
January 3, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this
This is off subject, but I just saw that Mitt Romney is running for President. I think he’s worth checking out: www.georgiansforromney.blogspot.com
By hjh
January 3, 2007 11:34 PM | Link to this
Personally, I could care less what Tommy Irvin thinks…
By boo
January 4, 2007 1:11 AM | Link to this
Typical of republicans in ga. They let it all go to their heads, try to act like dems, and do a really bad job of it.
And then they go and trash the one really fun tradition of the general assembly.
Cagle is showing how big a lightweight he is.
By rawena
January 4, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this
Well, with Mark Taylor not in attendance, they will be able to buy at least one less hawg.
By Ovolon
January 4, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this
Well if anyone is supprise by this move then I have a “COVERED BRIDGE” in South Georgia for sale, CHEAP! Personally, I don’t have a problem with this move, because we have out grown The Depot and you can hardly move in the place at times, not mention not being able to find a seat. Many people have stop going in the last few years, especially our more senior females.
The Lt. Gov. Elect is simply trying to get his “Sea Legs”. So let him have his “Side Bar” party. The Tams have been a favorite of mine for over fifty years and I will be there to do a little Shag after I fill up on some Wild Pig!