Lake County Fair merits purple ribbon for “awesomeness”

There are some constants about the Lake County Fair. It's always held in July; 4-H members from around Lake County participate; the 4-H Market Sale is held on Thursday night; and Shady Grady is on the fairgrounds with snow cones for sale.

Even with hot temperatures, last week's fair seemed to go smoothly. The beef barn’s enormous fans and mist kept the bovines content and 4-H members who showed sheep and goats said their barn was cool. Pigs, however, do not like to be hot so many 4-Hers with swine projects were misting or spraying down their critters.   

After the new water system was installed, which was a very welcome improvement according to Fair Manager Sjaan Vincent, sod went down on the courtyard so it was green again. The flowers were beautiful, thanks to Bev’s Bloomers and Vincent and her fair crew.

A new concrete pad was poured  behind the Community Center and made a handy spot for the fry wagon.

“Fair was awesome,” Vincent said. She also sent a big shout out to the barn superintendents and volunteers who work hard to make the fair happen. 

Fair secretary Adele Vincent noted that entries were about the same as last year with a few more open class entries. 

Paul Guenzler held a ranch rodeo in the arena at 5 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, and his cowboy friends came to play. 

One new addition to the fair was line dancing and swing dancing lessons by Boots on Fire on Saturday afternoon. After everybody got their dancing boots dusted off and turns perfected, they participated in a country dance at 7 p.m. under twinkly lights in the courtyard.   

Small fry get a taste of the action

The Small Fry Stock Show, another constant of the Lake County Fair, is held on Thursday evening, and the 4-H Ambassadors usually take on the challenge. Logan Smith, dressed in a cow costume, was the emcee and questioned the showmen about their animals, their favorite color, their families, and their pets.  

This fun show is for smaller children, too young for 4-H, but who can’t wait to show an animal. The kids and parents have to rustle up their own animal – either bring their own or borrow onel from an older 4-H relative or friend.

Dogs from Idaho shags to poodles to Kelpie crosses, and all age ranges joined chickens, bunnies, a mini horse named Mr. Big, and goats in the arena with their-pint-sized showmen.  

The “show” was divided into five classes for the 23 contestants. Add at least one parent for each child, friends of the contestants, and it made for a barn full. 

Josie Vassar, age 4, was showing an elderly blue heeler named Sadie, the Vassar family dog.

“We have to keep Sadie away from the other dogs,” she said, confidentially. “Her favorite dog treat is Minties.” 

Clyde Graham, 2, was showing an Idaho shag named Roper. When asked how old he was, Clyde reported he might be 4, 5 or 2 years of age, but his mom said 2. 

While Mom said it was a job getting both Clyde and Roper bathed and into town for the Small Fry Show, the two buddies walked right into the show ring like they showed for a living.

Ace Webster, turkey extraordinaire

When FFA member Dorothy Webster acquired Ace, the Bronze Heritage turkey was a tiny ball of creamy white fuzz with brown and black markings. 

Shortly afterward, disaster struck at the Webster farm when the chicken coop burned down. Ace and the other turkey poults spent some time in the Webster house before a big shed was remodeled into a turkey coop.

“Starting young, he was handled a lot,” Dorothy said. “He’s very gentle with people.”

Eventually Ace and crew were relocated to their new home, although the family’s lucky turkeys are free range during the daytime and only go into the coop to sleep. Ace is also the leader of the toms, Dorothy said.

Ace likes to keep clean so he flaps and rolls in loose dirt or dust to cover his body so his feathers don’t get greasy or matted. Then he sunbathes before preening. Turkeys are very clean birds, Dorothy explained.

His fastidious nature was on display at the Lake County Fair, where he showed off his shimmering, metallic-feathered glory as Dorothy’s poultry project. Not only does he have lovely feathers, he also was about three times as big as the other poultry in the class. 

Dorothy had worked with Ace so much that he was a rock star on the show table. He stood quietly, tall and proud, and squarely on his legs. 

She showed Ace in Senior Showmanship, and when poultry judge Virginia Chaffin asked participants to switch birds, the handsome turkey behaved like a perfect gentleman for Elsie Detert. 

The big bird and his handler won the Grand Champion in the Senior Showman class, and advanced to the Small Animal Round Robin Showmanship.

    Ace is standing still so the poultry judge can examine his conformation. The judge asked the senior showman to switch birds, so Ace is being shown by Elsie Detert. (Berl tiskus/Leader)
  

    Isaac Cantlon and his partner Hailey Hakes practice western swing dance steps taught by Boots on Fire. A country dance was scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Ronan Fairgrounds last Saturday night. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
  

    Junior Small Animal Round Robin Grand Champion Ella Dupuis and her bunny pose with her trophy and ribbon. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
  

    During Saturday's Ranch Rodeo at the Ronan Fairgrounds, a contestant ropes his team's steer, which the muggers have to tie down. Then the entire team needs to be a horseback before they receive a time. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
  

    Saddle Mountain 4-Her Lucas Gambrell waters his steer Maverick as Coleton Sherman gives his calf a drink. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
  

    Kesten Cahoon comes out of the ring smiling after showing the Cahoon family's Kelpie cross puppy in the Small Fry Stock Show. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)