Heat, heifers and Hoosiers

Animals and people alike were taking advantage of the fans provided at the Monroe County Fairgrounds on Saturday afternoon for relief from 90-plus degree temperatures.
In the horse stalls, box fans propped in the door frames blew the manes of horses entered in 4-H Club competitions, and those waiting for judging results in the rabbit pavilion sat in front of anything that produced a breeze.

The 2008 fair will feature not only a week of 4-H Club competitions, but also carnival rides, food and other daily entertainment.

The rabbit pavilion was just one area that was hopping Saturday afternoon.

Ribbons of varying colors hung from stacks of wire cages in the hot, crowded building and frantic rabbits jumped around as Makayla Derrell, 9, of Spencer, Ind., stood in front of a row of almost a dozen cages filled with her own rabbits she bred for this year’s fair.

For her, the entries she has in the fair come after more than half a year’s worth of work. Along with the rabbits, Derrell has cows, horses and sheep entered in 4-H Club competitions.

“We buy the cows and stuff back in January,” she said of her months of preparation for this week where they will be judged on their quality and appearance.

“Their cuteness, too,” Derrell said after naming off other factors judges look for.

“They do a wonderful job and work hard,” said First Vice President of the Monroe County Fair Board Rick Routon of kids who enter their animals into the 4-H Club competitions. “And the talent there that some of these kids have, you just can’t believe.”

Fair food is, of course, another major attraction this week. Ice cream, elephant ears, kettle corn, cinnamon rolls and lemon shake ups are only a few options from various booths set up on the grounds.

Routon said one of the biggest draws every year is the demolition derby, which takes place Friday and Saturday evenings.

The midway, featuring traditional carnival rides, will open Monday and run through Saturday.

But the attractions aren’t always the most important thing, as Routon points out.

“People from all over come out to reminisce and to smell the food,” he said. “I don’t know what the one big thing is for people, but for me it’s seeing old friends that you don’t see through the rest of the year. I always run into people I went to high school with that I haven’t seen in years.”

Seeing the fruits of labor of kids, like Derrell, involved in 4-H Club competitions is another big draw for some, like poultry barn leader Brad Shulz.

“The kids are my favorite part,” he said. “I love aggravating them.”

Events will take place on the fairgrounds daily until Saturday. Admission to the grounds is $2 per vehicle on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, and $7 a vehicle on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Some events have an additional admission charge. More information can be found at www.monroecountyfairgrounds.org.