Sycamore Chief of Police Don Thomas hosted a campaign party of a different flavor Sunday at his home with friends and family.

He, along with three other candidates, Mike Maveus, the NABATCO public relations officer, Dave Juday, CEO of Ideal Industries, and Herb Holderman, Sycamore VFW officer, are campaigning for the chance to kiss a pig in public.

Prominent local figures were chosen as candidates for Sycamore’s third annual Kiss the Pig Contest. This tradition is a fundraiser to benefit the Sycamore Historical Society and Museum. Candidates choose a campaign manager and campaign from mid-September until the winner is announced during Pumpkin Festival Saturday.

Citizens vote by purchasing a raffle ticket for $1 in any candidate’s name. Every raffle ticket acts as a vote and gives the voter a chance to win donated prizes from local businesses that range from a grandfather clock to a golf outing for four.

All the money gathered will be donated to the museum in the winning candidate’s name at the end of the campaign. The fundraiser is used to cover the non-profit museum’s operating costs, utilities and other miscellaneous expenses. This unique fundraiser has become very popular over the past few years. According to Thomas, last year’s efforts raised more than $5,000, and they hope to raise more this year.

Self proclaimed “Boss Hog” Thomas offered pork barbecue, drinks, sports and a couple laughs at his home as a way to get people involved in his campaign. Thomas was nominated by City Council Member Allen Bauer.

“At first I said I don’t want to do that,” Thomas said. “But I couldn’t come up with a good excuse in front of everyone so I said I would be a candidate.”

Now Thomas is fully embracing this opportunity. His first step was to appoint Scott Blunk as “campaign manager.” While Blunk claimed it was just a title, he still takes his job seriously.

“[The museum] is a small organization which doesn’t get much press,” he said. “This fundraiser is very important to them.”

Blunk and others helped Thomas by making about 15 official “Kiss the Pig” donation containers and placing them around town.

Thomas’ wife, Susan, came up with the idea to use the book “Charlotte’s Web” as a campaign theme.

The Thomas’ lawn is decorated by a large web which first read Charlotte’s own message, from the novel, “Some Pig,” then “Terrific,” and now “Radiant.” Next week, as the campaign draws to a close, the web will read Charlotte’s final message, “Humble.”

“As an English teacher, I thought ‘Charlotte’s Web’ would create suspense and draw some attention to the event,” Susan said. “There is obviously a certain amount of indignity involved in this so we have to have some fun with it.”

Candidates and audience members alike, beware. Last year the winner kissed the pig, but the second place candidate kissed the winner. The winner will kiss the baby pig at 2 p.m. Saturday.