The Fair

Stick Boy enjoying a caramel apple

Saturday at noon we moved the trailers and other comforts of home to the fair.  The animals had to be in their pens at 2:30 AM.  My back was killing me, so Stick Boy and I decided stay at camp and set up the temporary fodder system and enjoy the fair while Darling Husband and Teen Son went home to load up the FFA lambs. 

This was our temporary fodder set up.

The display that the guys set up.

Fair schedule for the kids is to get up at 6AM go into the fair grounds to clean and feed the animals.  On the days the kids and their animals are being judged the animals need to be washed (cattle are even blow dried) before the fair opens at 10: am.  Teen Son had 2 lambs so the mornings he showed his lambs were pretty stressful.  Then they need to keep all pens clean though out the day so visitors to the fair get to see the animals but not smell them.  The animals are fed usually about 5 pm.  Our FFA group had meetings at 8: pm and after the fair closes one last check on the animals.  It is fun and exhausting. 

The lambs are all walked around being held by behind their ears.

The judge checking out the sheep.  He decided our sheep were too short in the body.

Poor Darling Husband spent most nights at home but often would come to the fair for a few hours then drive home.  

Kids showing animals can only have one animal go to auction so we had to barn sell one of the animals.  Auction price is by the pound so Teen Son decided to sell the largest lamb at auction and find a buyer for the fodder fed lamb.  He had several ofer so he ended up making a profit on both lambs.  

 

Enjoying the fair.

Grandpa came to the fair and gave the boys money for a treat.  When the rest of the kids came Stick Boy shared his treat with them.  Teen Son was too tired to join them.