A North Central Florida pastime makes one group of people as happy as a pig in the mud. another group, however, will only support it when pigs fly.

The Hog Festival - takes place once a year in Hawthorne, and the Mayor likes it that way

As of now ... this year's chase is scheduled for October 11th, but a number of groups aren't happy about it.

Alachua County Commissioners passed an ordinance outlawing pig chases last year, but the city of Hawthorne passed an ordinance permitting them.

According to Mayor Roberts when a city's ordinance conflicts with a county's, the city's prevails.

Now PETA is involved.

They sent a letter to the Hawthorne City Commission reading that they hope city officials will put a stop to the event. They also said that it's not uncommon for pigs to suffer injuries during pig chases. Local animal activists agree ...

"I'm very upset that children are being taught that it's ok to chase little screaming animals."

The Organizer of the Hog Festival though ... says the pigs don't get hurt, and that they have a vet at the event just in case.

"I believe it's very much fun and not cruelty. It's just like children or even with a dog and a child chasing. It's very very harmless."

As for the opinions of the Alachua County Commissioners ...

"I think if they would come out and just visit and take a look and spend a couple of hours - they'll see that it was worth it for us to go ahead and go against their ordinance."

So at least for the time being ... the chases will continue in Hawthorne ... and that'll probably leave at least a few participants sweating like a pig.