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Saturday, July 19, 2008

County Fair Season!


It’s time for County Fair! Nearly every county in the United States hosts a county fair. Rodeos, tractor pulls, demolition derbies, and country western singers draw big crowds. But I think the most exciting part is the competitive exhibitions of livestock, garden produce, 4H projects, baked goods, art, needlework, photography, and handicrafts. This is a great opportunity for urban farmers to strut your stuff and compete head on with rural farmers. Your urban Buff Orpington chicken may well be the “Best of Show”! Your backyard tomatoes or jarred pickles can be blue ribbon winners! Your children can plaster their bedroom walls with purple, blue, red, and white ribbons from 4H projects they exhibit!
Nathan and Mark show their beets.

Matthew with his prize winner Alpine dairy goat.


Sarah feeds her Plymouth Rock while waiting for the judges.

If you have not been to a county fair, attached are websites for a couple of examples. But look up your own county fair and get on out there. If you are competing this year, good luck! If not, go anyway so that you can see what you are up against and plan for next year. Enjoy the petting zoo. Go for a hay ride. Watch the cows being milked. Talk to a rural farmer. Let your kids climb on the machinery displayed by equipment dealers. But by all means, scout out the competitive exhibitions. Make county fair a rite of passage for summer and an annual family tradition.

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http://www.agexpoandfair.org/index.htm

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