WEST STOCKBRIDGE -- A picture of pigs in party hats was enough to catch 9-year-old Iris Dinan's attention.
She was picking out a book at the West Stockbridge Public Library at 21 State Line Road when she found the poster for "Gilbert The Party Pig and Friends" -- a traveling troupe of household pigs out of Glastonbury, Conn., who electrify audiences at schools, libraries and birthday celebrations around New England.
The eponymous Gilbert, and his siblings, were slated to bring the festivities to the library. As soon as Iris saw the upcoming appearance, she knew she had to go -- opportunities like this don't come around every day.
"They're adorable, and I've never really been able to touch one," Iris said of pigs.
That all changed when Gilbert and friends finally made their way to the library Saturday -- offering a chance for attendees to pet, feed and even carry the pigs as part of the free event. A crowd of around 100 gathered for the shindig, as owner Michelle Burns showed off some tricks and attempted to deliver some facts about the animals to an enthusiastic crowd.
Gilbert was the first to arrive on the scene, as Terry Burns, Michelle's husband, led him out in front of the crowd to excited applause. One-by-one, kids in the audience came up to feed him an avocado -- a favorite food of his -- on a spoon, then pet him gently on the back. The 5-year-old, white-haired Göttingen minipig weighs around 160 pounds.
The event was held as part of the library's summer programming, with the intent of drawing attention to a new collection of 100 children's books donated by the Pilcrow Foundation, an Oregon-based nonprofit that provides resources for rural libraries. Assistant librarian Vicky Cooper said the library has ongoing efforts to increase engagement for kids, including a stuffed animal sleepover July 15.
The line to pet Gilbert quickly devolved into something that resembled a huddle, though, as giddy children ran to meet the party pig -- the rate of pets seemingly outpaced the input of avocado, but Gilbert didn't seem to mind. Once the crowd subsided, Gilbert was adorned with a curly blue wig and showed the crowd his prowess at sitting, staying and strutting for a morsel or two.
Iris made sure to be part of the greeting committee, where she got her chance to finally find out what those porcine furs feel like. As it turns out, the fur reminded her of "one of those soft-bristled hairbrushes," she said.
Gilbert's younger, smaller siblings Meadow and Sprinkle were next to appear, donning a polka dot top hat and a cluster of ribbon bow, respectively. While she may not get top billing for the party crew, Sprinkle is a minor celebrity -- she appeared on Season 4 of Hulu's "Only Murders in the Building" alongside Steve Martin and Martin Short.
Last on the roster was Dot, the smallest of the participating pigs, who was small enough for most in attendance to hold for a while. As part of a trick, she also walked on the backs of a few brave children in the audience while hunting for Cheerios scattered around them.
Cooper also said Saturday's event seemed to bring "a lot of energy and a lot of happiness" to the room, and was glad that she was able to provide a chance for kids to interact with Gilbert and the gang.
The party began five years ago, when Michelle Burns had her 40th birthday wish granted in the form of Gilbert -- she had become determined to get "a pig in her life" after seeing Instagram posts from people raising them as pets. Terry Burns took her to a breeder to make that dream come true.
She's gotten a pig every year since, with the latest addition, Buddy, joining the family a few months ago.
But the intention wasn't always show business: Gilbert's first appearance was at a school, a favor to a teacher from Burns -- a preschool teacher herself at the time. She posted about it, and suddenly found herself inundated with requests, which she was more than happy to grant.
Now, managing Gilbert the Party Pig is her full-time gig -- the touring schedule takes the team to assisted living facilities, yoga classes and more, with very few days off.
One visit at a time, she hopes to show attendees that pigs can make great pets -- and that there's more to the animals than meets the eye.
"People think they don't feel, they don't have souls, they're just food -- I don't believe that," Michelle Burns said. "I live with them every single day -- they have emotions, they have feelings. I know what noise means what, I know when they're upset, I know when they're happy ... I just think they're sentient beings and they deserve love like everyone else."