Friday at the Fair: Judging the Animals — Large, Small and In-Between!

A Series of Reports on the San Juan County Fair
By Brigid Ehrmantraut

Despite a chilly start in the  morning, attendance was back up Friday afternoon. The same can’t be said for many 4-H contests and projects, unfortunately.  Animal-owner costume contest participation was down this year to only two members:  Keegan Hebert with his cavy, [guinea pig] Lucky Foot, dressed as cowboys, and me with my chicken, Dax, dressed as feather hat ladies.

Large livestock participation is also lower this year, and the auction will feature fewer animals than usual:  only three steers, fewer lambs.  There are about the same number of pigs though, and just as many (if not more) trios of pullets and dozens of eggs.  Just because there aren’t as many auction items, doesn’t mean they’re not as deserving; in fact this year more than ever 4-H needs your support.  Come see us at the livestock auction in the 4-H arena this Saturday at 2:00 pm, the lamb 4-Hers are already handing out recipes for sheep!

Winners for 4-H swine were:  Senior, Derrek Buffum from Lopez; Intermediate, CJ Woods of San Juan; and Junior, San Juan Islander Dylan Allen.  Their hogs will be in the auction as will the steers of the cattle rosette receivers:  Junior Rio Black and Intermediate Gabe Lawson, both from San Juan.

Large Animal Round Robin winners were:  Senior, Grace Thompson from Orcas who got in showing horse; Intermediate, Hannah Brunner-Gaydos from Orcas who also got in with her horse; Junior, Ashley Black who won with sheep.  Grace took the belt buckle over all high point award in Large Animal Round Robin.  This is quite an achievement as this was her first year with any large animal.  Adult and beef superintendent, Josephine Bangs from Orcas judged steer in Round Robin.

Horse 4-Hers from Orcas who placed well in equestrian events this year include Grace Thompson, Daria Stankevich, Hannah Brunner-Gaydos and Kara Veldman, who all received at least one Grand and one Reserve Champion ribbon and multiple medals in showmanship for seniors and intermediates.

Dog winners of the past week are:  Junior, Orcas islander Christian Bailey; Intermediate, April Esposito of San Juan; and Grace Thompson tied with Kelsey Guyer for senior (both are from Orcas).  Obedience and agility were also on Friday.

4-H performing arts is a relatively new category and Orcas was well represented by Kelsey Guyer and Tashi and Kaj Litch (both primaries). Open performances are held throughout the fair as well.

The chicken races are progressing well, and tomorrow is the final! Margot Van Gelder and Martha Lum will be some of the Orcas members with speedy chickens.  Friday saw the first all duck race too, and noises have been made about a cavy race next year.

Saturday is the last day of the fair.  The schedule will be packed!  The Sheep to Shall competition runs all day and usually features Bob, Maria, Liam and Mara Nutt from Orcas.  Small Animal Round Robin is at 11:00 am, chicken/rabbit race finals are in the early afternoon, the 4-H still-life silent auction runs throughout the day, the 4-H livestock auction is at 2:00 pm, and the 4-H awards ceremony will be at 4:00 pm.  The Zucchini 500 finals are also on Saturday — the final day of the Fair!