This year when it was time to buy animals we weren't sure if we would be able to show them or not. Covid 19 closed or cancelled just about everything including many county fairs. As spring turned into summer we waited to see what would happen in our area. And sure enough we started seeing cancellations of local, district, and state fairs. But, even though the "fairs" were cancelled decisions were made (thankfully) to find ways to allow the livestock shows to go on. Our local county fair board members along with our County Agents worked very hard to be able to hold these events in our area. It was different, but it went very well!
Usually we start our fair week on Labor Day, setting up fair booths and bringing in animals. The next day we enter household items and hold the lamb and pig show. On Wednesday evenings we show goats. Thursday evening is for cows. One day during the day we have a chicken and rabbit show. We also hold educational tours for school groups during the day. They have some contests like hay bale decorating, cupcake decorating, pie judging, etc...We end the week with our Premium Auction (in the past held on Saturday morning but moved to Friday last year.) That evening animals are released, cleanup is done and Sunday afternoons exhibits and booths come down. We are at the fair all day every day. It is a lot of work but also a lot of fun.
This year everything but the livestock shows and Premium Sale was cancelled. They set it up so that one species at a time would be on the fair grounds and then leave so there wouldn't be a large number of people on the grounds at a time. Sheep were scheduled to arrive between 6-8 Tuesday morning with the show starting at 9 and ending before lunch. Goats came in between 1-3 on Tuesday afternoon with the show starting at 4. Wednesday morning pigs came in between 6-8 and show starting at 9. Cows came in from 1-3 and show started at 4. Thursday morning chickens and rabbits came in between 7-8 and show started at 9. The Premium Auction started at 9 on Friday without the animals present. Photos were taken of all of the children with their animals and they showed it on a screen while the child stood beside it and donors bid on them.
We took the whole week off of school.
Monday Art and Nick were home for Labor Day so we took the day off.
Tuesday morning we had the babies.
And then got everything loaded and ready to go!
By the way, the cold front they said we were going to get this week never came. It was HOT!!! Not as bad as last year but in the 90's all week long.
Alex helped someone brand new to showing goats wash and clip their goat.
We washed up, weighed in, and waited. The show went really well. Lily, Christian, and Alex showed goats. Alex won: Senior Showmanship, 1st in his Market class with Starbucks, 1st in his Market Class, 1st Commercial Doe class, and Reserve Champion Commercial Doe with Toffee. Lily won 3rd in her Market Class, and 1st in her Commercial Class with Ruby, and Christian won 3rd in his Market Class with Jang.
Nick and I had to get up at 4 am on Wednesday to get ready to load pigs. Our Ag agent hauled them to the fairgrounds for us. Nick went ahead and I woke the others up to head out. They washed, weighed in, and got ready for the show to start at 9. There was a lot of stiff competition in the pig show. Emmie was worn out when it was all over! Nick and Emmie showed pigs. Nick won: Senior Showmanship, 1st in his Market Class, and Grand Champion Market Hog!! Emmie won 1st in her Market Class, 1s in her Commercial Class, and Reserve Champion Commercial Gilt.
Nick headed back to school after the show. The rest of us stayed to watch the cow show. Alex was helping in the ring.
We had 4 rabbits showing this year, all Netherland Dwarves. Lily had a senior buck named Taco who won 1st, Best of Breed, and 4th overall in the show. Emmie had a junior doe named Rosie who won 1st and Best Opposite. Christian had a senior doe who won 1st and Anthony had a senior doe named Scrapper who won 2nd place. I was helping with the rabbit/chicken show and completely forgot to take any pictures expect for these two of the Grand Champion judging.
Many exhibitors give gift baskets to their "buyers." Our buyers don't really buy the animals. They just donate money to the children. A friend sent me a picture of a gift with a towel and potholder that I thought was cute. I made something similar for ours. I did 3 rabbit sets, 2 pigs, and one rabbit and added a cookie sheet, measuring cups, and spatula to it.
The Premium Sale went very well. All of the children that show livestock and are ages 5-18 are eligible to enter. We are always very thankful for any amount of money we get! It is not cheap to raise livestock and every bit helps!!
Next week will be a short school week for us because we have dentist appointment, a goat show, and a pig show.
I hope you had a great week! Happy Homeschooling!
