It's Fair Time!!!!
Thursday night we loaded up 2 goats and 10 pigs and headed to the fair grounds to weigh in.
This year our kids together had 2 goats and 4 pigs. We took the extra's down for some cousins.
Our pigs did not do very well this year. Minimum weight is 220 lbs with a 3% shrinkage meaning the pigs must weigh in at 214 lbs or can not be sold during the auction. Both girls pigs weighed in under 200 pounds (191 &170). We had to load them back into the trailer to take home. We knew they would likely not make weight so we had found some people who would be interested in buying them from us when we ran out of feed. The girls won't make as much as if they'd sell them at the fair but at least they'll make a little something with them. Brayden's pig which looked the biggest weighed in at 212. Knowing they gain 2-3 pounds a day and feeling sorry for us that our 1st 2 pigs didn't make weight they allowed this pig to slip in. They had the intention that this pig would eat enough over night to gain that last 2 pounds to make weight the next day. I thought they'd have us weigh it again but we never had to. Hunter's pig was borderline. We really didn't know if it would make it or not this year. We were all surprised and very thankful that his pig
weighed 220lbs! Thank goodness goats don't have a minimum weight.
Friday morning the kids and I headed down to the Fair Grounds for what feels like the longest day ever! Here's Hunter giving his pig a bath. Hunter's pig was our absolute favorite this year. This pig loved water. He'd dance, and run around in the sprinkler hose every chance he got! He was a very friendly pig.
Here's the girls washing Brayden's pig. We end up washing the pigs at least once and sometimes 3 times a day. So even though the girls didn't get to show their pigs they still got to join in on all the fun.
When the pigs were ready to be shown we took a breather and watched some of the kids going before us. The 2 little ones occupied themselves by playing in the dirt.
Here's Emily all dressed up and just waiting for her turn. The kids are strongly encouraged to wear dark pants, white shirt and the 4-H patch.
Emily's pig did not make weight but she was able to show Hunter's pig in her division just for fun.
Brayden showing his pig!
In the end both kids got a ribbon for participating making them feel pretty special.
We had a short break between Pee-Wee and the 4H show so we ran over to the event center to discover how the kids did with their craft projects we've been working on all summer. Madelyn's yarn art received a blue ribbon!
Her swim suit cover was selected to go to the Utah State Fair! She was pretty excited.
Another blue ribbon for her flying bug.
Madelyn earned $15 from all her submission's.
Hunter's tin man was also selected to go to the Utah State Fair.
He submitted a button art and his pine wood derby. He brought home $15 too.
We were kind of in a hurry and I must have missed taking pictures of the other kids. Brayden did a tin man too and took sweepstakes in his division ($15). He submitted a plate of cookies and a painted picture too and came home with a total of $17.
Emily submitted 3 items, googly eye picture frame, a flying bug (like Madelyn's) and a plate of cookies. She is still in the Pee Wee division and each item is only given $1. She was dis-appointed that she only got $3 when everyone else got so much more.
We quickly ran back to the fair for Hunter and Madelyn to show their goats and pigs.
Cousin Gideon, Madelyn and Hunter
Cousin Gideon, Madelyn and Hunter.
They did pretty good in the Showmanship and all received ribbons of participation.
That 1st day is always the loooonnngest! It didn't help that our Dad was at school and I was left to do it all with kids again this year. When I crawled into bed that night I couldn't help but think about were we are in our lives. I didn't grow up showing animals. We were lucky to have a pet dog. Having 5 children of my own I understand why my parents didn't want any animals. I would have never thought that I would have spent that day bathing pigs, chasing and straddling run away goats and helping young kids herd their sheep. Not something I would have seen in my future just a few years ago. I thought I was just a city girl who grew up in Vegas.
Saturday morning our family headed back down to the fair grounds for the auction. Our dad was able to come with us and boy did it make a difference having him there to help out.
Here's Hunter showing his green glittered pig. He sold for $575.
Brayden's pig sold for $475. He was the 2nd to the last and I missed taking his pictures because I ended up in the arena with him. As we were getting his pig out of the pen Hunter's pig came running out and being in such a narrow walk way both pigs pinned Brayden up against the fence. He wasn't hurt, it wasn't done intentionally but it scarred him pretty good. He didn't want to go anywhere near his pig after that. I had to rush Brayden out into the arena while Dad was chasing Hunter's pig back into the pen.
After the pigs came the goats. When the animals go for auction the kids can dress their animals up a bit. Most kids shower their pigs with glitter and put a fancy/blingy collar on their goats. There are so many animals coming through that we needed to do something to catch buyer's attention and make our animals stand out from everyone else. We definitely stood out this year!
Madelyn's goat was beautified!
Together, us girls, made a sparkly turquoise and purple tutu with a matching flower to cover up that ugly looking tag. Madelyn wore her 4-H outfit but wanted to wear a purple flower to match her goat! The audience went wild. She received many shout outs, yells and whistles.
She did a fabulous job. Her goat sold for almost $600 which really is just insane!
Hunter didn't want his male goat beautified. It would some how be undignified to them both. He said he wouldn't be caught dead showing his goat in a tutu. hehehehe. I really never had the intention of doing this but did enjoy getting the rise out of him. What I wanted to do was make a super hero cape like batman and then have Hunter wear an eye mask to match but apparently he's too old for that. So we dressed his goat up the same we did for 4th of July parade which turned out pretty good I think.
Hunter chasing his goat in the arena. Something we did constantly with this goat. I'll admit I didn't shed a tear when we left him behind for the very last time. This particular goat was a pain in my backside! Hunter made $525 on this little stinker!
When our kids were done selling we headed home for a few hours. Later that night we went back to the fair grounds, the 4th time in 3 days for the local rodeo.
Brayden wanted to ride the sheep and was quite excited and happy about it until he got thrown off. Dad was there to rescue him.
This year we were able to back our truck right up to the fence line. We brought our lawn chairs and made camp in the bed of the truck! We brought our camp chef and made kettle corn to share. It soon got dark and my pictures taken didn't turn out! All the kids participated in the chicken chase and all caught either a chicken, duck or rabbit. Not wanting any more animals the kids got to give their catch away to friends who apparently had nicer mom's.
Overall it was a great weekend. I'll admit I'm pretty glad we don't have this busy of a weekend too often. It will take a few days to recover from. Till next year...
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