County Fair 2019!

We took the entire week off of school because it was County Fair Week!  It was the hottest fair I can remember in a long time.  It was mid to upper 90's on the thermometer all week not counting the heat index and it got hotter as the week went on.  Very thankful for the fans but it was still hot!!! Mon we were there 9-7 Tues- Thurs we were at there from 9am- 9 pm.  Friday we were able to leave by 1 and go home to our nice air conditioned house.  Saturday we were there until 1 and then back at 5:30 to start clean up.  We are tired!  But it was a great fair week for the children and I appreciate all of the people that work so hard to make the fair possible.


Monday morning we were putting up booths.  We put up the Nature Seekers and STEM Club and Nick and Alex also worked with the other Teen Leaders on the Teen Leader booth.  After lunch we worked on sorting chickens and worked with the goats until it was time to start weighing in animals.  We helped weigh in the hogs and the goats and sheep.

Tuesday we had to enter all of the other entries.  I use to only allow the children to enter 5 things each because that made 35 entries and it took a really, really long time to get them all in.  This year they let me tag the entries ahead of time.  The children were so proud of all of the things they worked on I told them they could enter them all.  My family had a ton of entries, especially Lily who had worked on so many sewing projects this year.

Then we washed and clipped goats and the pig.

The lamb and pig show was Tuesday night.  The pig did much better and won 2nd in Commercial and 3rd in her market class.

Wednesday we worked on the hay bale in the morning.  Chelsea brought Liam and Willow out.  We left to go to lunch in a nice air conditioned building.

After lunch the inside exhibits had been judged so we got to go see what everyone won.

Nick entered a decorated cake (1st place) 2 puzzles (one 1st one Best of Section) a dream catcher (2nd), string art (1st) and a LEGO set (1st)

Anthony entered 2 photographs (2nd and Best of Section), jam (1st), a wooden bird (1st) 2 LEGO sets (1st) and string art (2nd) Christmas Board (1st)

Alex entered a leather bracelet (Best of Section) key chain (1st) coaster (2nd) model truck (1st), cross (1st) and string art (1st)

Christian entered 2 LEGO sets (1st), zippered pouch (2nd), pillow (2nd), string art (1st) leather bracelet (2nd) key chain (1st) coaster (2nd) Christmas Board (2nd)

Emmie entered a Christmas Plate (2nd) 3 paintings (2nd and 2 1st) string art (1st) pillowcase (2nd), jam (2nd) and decorated cake (1st)

Lily entered decorated cake (1st), jam (2nd) 3 drawings (1st) 3 paintings (1st and Best of Section) soup cozy (2nd) laundry bag (1st) zippered pouch (1st) potholder (1st) fleece blanket (1st) skirt (Best of Section) string art (1st) bracelet (1st) key chain (1st), coaster (1st) table runner (1st)

Then it was time for rabbit and chicken judging.  We helped with that.  Anthony's birds won Grand, Emmie's won Reserve, and Lily's 1st.  One of Nick's rabbits didn't place.  The other won 1st and the other Grand (that rabbit was the only one of its breed.)

Next we had to get the goats ready for the goat show.

Alex won Senior Showmanship, 1st in his market class and 2n in his commercial class. ( I was working in the announcers booth for the shows so the pictures were taken from above.)

Christian won 1st in his market class and Reserve Grand Champion for Commercial.

Thursday was school group day.  Nick, Emmie, Lily, and I did chickens and rabbits.  Christian and Alex did goats.

Thursday night we helped with the cattle show.

Friday was the Premium Sale.  This is not a real sale.  Businesses donate money to the exhibitors to help with the cost of raising livestock (it costs a lot!) but the exhibitor keeps the animal.  We went home after lunch and rested and Nick went back to feed and water that evening by himself.

Saturday was the parade.

Then there was a BBQ contest that Alex entered.  He won 1st but his category was uncontested.  It was the first time they have done this at the fair and hope for more entries next year.

Clean up was Saturday night.

Today after church we tore down the booths and picked up the inside exhibits.

Our next fair is in a little over 2 weeks, but it is a shorter fair and hopefully won't be so hot!

I hope you had a great week!

Happy Homeschooling!