August 1, 2018

 OLD FASHIONED COUNTY FAIR 2018

The 8th annual Lawrence County Fair is in the books and fair board members say it was a success. “Anytime you have kids showing animals and the community supporting them, it is a success.”

The fair kicked off on Tuesday, July 24, participants dropped off their cultural arts exhibits at the extension office to be judged. At 6pm the Lawrence County Fair Pageant got under way at the Lawrence County Extension Office. Cashton Stepp won Prettiest Baby Boy and most Photogenic baby boy. Harlee Dotson won Prettiest Baby Girl and Jaqueline Jackson won prettiest baby girl 1rst runner up. Paislee Aldridge won most photogenic girl. Breanna Robinette won Jr. Miss Lawrence County Fair.

Wednesday vendors arrived and started setting up.

Opening Ceremonies occurred on Thursday at 5pm John Osborne, County Judge Executive opened up the fair. Chris Jobe, County Clerk, opened in prayer and Makayla Sparks, Lawrence county High School Junior and FFA Secretary, sang the National Anthem. The VFW lead the flag salute.

At 5:30 the first part of the livestock show got underway in the livestock arena. There were 35 exhibitions of rabbits, poultry, and goats. They were shown in 3 age divisions for the youth: Clover bud (under 9 years of age), JR (9-12), SR (13-18) ages are as of Jan 1. The following are the placings for the livestock show:

 
Rabbit

Open Class: Clover bud Division: 1. Sara Grace Brewer Jr Division: 1. Aliza Kendrick 2. Haleigh Hay 3. Kennedy Mills SR Divisions: 1. Caleb Martin 2. Caity Sammons 3. Breana Robinette
Market Class: Jr. 1. Breanna Robinette 2. Aaron Mills SR: 1. Rylie St. Clair 2. Breanna Buckner 3. Caleb Martin
Showmanship: Sr. 1. Caleb Martin 2. Rylie St. Clair 3. Caity Sammons

Poultry

Open Class: Clover bud: 1. Sara Brewer SR: 1. Caity Sammons 2. Rylie St. Clair 3. Breanna Buckner

Market Class: Jr. 1. Wyatt Branham SR. 1. Caity Sammons 2. Breanna Buckner
Goats

Open Class: Clover bud: 1. Sara Brewer SR 1. Citori Branham

Market Class: Clover bud: 1. Sara Brewer JR: 1. Wyatt Branham SR. 1. Caity Sammons 2. Michael Blackburn 3. Caleb Martin

Showmanship: Cloverbud: 1. Sara Brewer JR: Wyatt Branham SR: Caity Sammons 2. Citori Branham 3. Caleb Martin.

These classes were judged by Gary Selby Agriculture Educator at Elliot County High School.

At 7pm Cowboy Church started under the Farmers Market Paviliion. Michael Horn, from New Friendship Church preached and Special singers included the Blanton Sisters, Rodney and Rita Parker, Warnie Pinson, and Brittany Horn.

Friday the fair opened at 4pm with Free Inflatables courtesy of the Fair and sponsors. Inflatables were provided by Inflatation Station which included a double slide, monster truck, and large dog bounce house.

The livestock arena opened with Swine Open Class: Cloverbud 1. Kenslee Shannon Jr. 1. Wyatt Branham SR.: 1. Citori Branham 2. Belle Gee 3. Michael Blackburn
Market: JR: 1. Wyatt Branham SR: 1. Belle Gee 2. Caity Sammons 3. Citori Branham 4. Michael Blackburn
Also exhibiting were Whitney Moore and Ethan Salye

Cattle:

JR: 1. Weston Vanhorn SR: 1. Hailey Vanhorn

Market Jr: 1. Breanna Robinette 2. Wyatt Branham SR: 1. Caity Sammons 2. Michael Blackburn

3. Citori Branham
Breeding: JR: 1. Breanna Robinette 2. Wyatt Branham SR: 1. Caity Sammons 2. Citori Branham 3. Michael Blackburn

In the horse arena the 2nd annual horse show started at 7pm. (SEE separate Lazer story) There were 25 classes for competitors to show in. Classes included pleasure classes, fun classes like Baby bottle and toilet paper race, and Barrel Racing. Juvenile 12 and under class was won by Owen Pack. 13-18 youth class was won by Michael Blackburn. Speed Racking Championship class was won by Wilson Cyrus. Jason Marcum won Trail Pleasure Racking. Pleasure Championship class was won by Darren McCoy. Cole Chaffins won Open Spotted Pleasure. Brandi Blackburn won Open Ladies Pleasure. Shelby Taylor won bareback pleasure. Jenn Wilson won speed racking. Open Pole Bending was won by Alysha Carver. Youth Barrel Racing was won by Citori Branham. Open Barrel Racing was won by Melissa Blackburn. Other Blue Ribbon winners include: Drew Williamson, Caleb Martin, Caity Sammons, Sara Brewer, Aliza Kendrick, Cole Williamson, Brandon Sparks, and many others. Thank you to the Sponsors of the horse show and Tractor Supply which allowed each winner to receive a 5-gallon water bucket, nice bag, halter, and trophy , some championship classes also won additional gifts.

The fair concluded on Saturday the longest day of the fair. Fair goers could start early morning with a pancake breakfast fundraiser for the Lawrence County high school Dawgs football team. The farmers market opened at 9 am at the farmer’s market pavilion. Local farmers had farm fresh produce for purchase. Extension Services offered homemade goodies including tomato/watermelon salad, smoothies, and ice cream to sample. The car show and tractor show started at 10am in the Extension parking lot. There were several nice older cars, trucks, and tractors as well as newer ones. The winner of the Tractor show includes a farmall and reserve went to a John Deere owned by Mathieu. The car show winner was county judge candidate Phil Carter.

At noon, the fun began with 30 Mutton Busting entries. The cowboys and cowgirls had a blast while riding sheep. Top 10 riders got to ride during intermission of the Rodeo. Unfortunately, we were unable to get the list of riders.

In the outside arena, the Backwoods pulls began. The lawnmower and tractor pulls were awesome! We are looking forward to seeing some locals compete next year.

At 3pm the livestock auction began. Youth can sell their animal as market meaning the buyer takes the animal or as premium meaning the youth retains ownership of the animal. The high selling market animal was over $600 for Weston Vanhorn’s cow by Bluegrass Stockyards. Other buyers included Bridgeport Equipment, Representative Jill York, Representative Candidate Kathy Hinkle, Wes Vanhorn, and other local businesses.

As soon as the livestock sale was over the arena was prepared for the Greasy Pig Contest that featured pig wrestlers as young as 2 and classes up to Adult. Fun was had by competitors, and spectators.

At the conclusion of the greasy pig classes the livestock area of the fairgrounds was cleared of anyone not wearing an armband to prepare for the most exciting event the KING Brother’s Rodeo. Riders had to call in the Tuesday before the event to participate and several local riders did. This year the fair not only featured bull riding and barrel racing but this year they added Broncs also!

The rodeo concluded with 3 completed bull rides. Congratulations to all who competed in any aspect of the fair.