ELSANOR, Ala. — There was plenty to do at least week’s “Fall Festival” at Elsanor Elementary School. Students could try their hand at smashing a car, tricked out in Auburn and ‘Bama colors, play some old-fashioned games, and watch their principal kiss a pig.

Yes, kiss a pig.

It was all for a good cause.

“The idea of the festival is that all the money will be divided amongst the teaches for instructional supplies,” explained Chesley Harrison, a resource teacher at the school and the coordinator of the first-time fair. Budget cuts this year left no money for teachers to buy supplies for their classrooms.

“We had a bounce house, car bashing, and will have some old-fashioned games after lunch,” said Harrison. Students could purchase a wristband that allowed them to play all the games for $10 or they could purchase tickets at 25 cents each.

But, the “main event,” was going to be the announcement of who was going to have to kiss the porker. The students were buzzing to see which adult was going to have to give “Brak,” a large, black potbellied pig with an under bite a smooch on the snout.

Students voted for their “favorite” faculty member to hug, pet or kiss the pig by putting money into jars with the person’s picture on it. The top fundraiser was going to have to kiss the pig on the snout. Those who raised lesser amounts would get to hug or pet Brak. Monica Johnson, Ashley Poe and Christie Lyles petted and hugged Brak with varying degrees of enthusiasm.

Brak, explained his owner Brandy Howell is a year and a half old.

“He’s a love,” said Howell. Howell is the mother of Hunny Howell, a sixth-grade student at the school.

Brak has been part of the Howell household since he was a piglet.

“I have three pugs,” said Howell. “He thinks he’s a pug.”

Unfortunately, Brak can’t get under the table with his canine “pack,” but he excels in stretching out on some chosen furniture and is housebroken. He is walked with a stout leather and rope harness and strong leash. A member of the Robertsdale High junior varsity football team was on hand to help keep Brak in line should he get too excited.

Principal Susan Runnels realized after seeing the others pet and hug the pig that she was the top fundraiser. A look of dread crossed her face.

By this time, Brak had had it with all the attention and refused to allow Runnels near him. That problem was quickly solved when Runnels placed a cookie in her mouth and offered it to Brak.

The students chorused, “Kiss it.” Nothing less was going to satisfy them.

The porcine Romeo needed no additional encouragement once the cookie was presented. Smooch delivered.

“The chocolate chip cookie was good,” quipped Runnels afterward.