Rides and games and pigs and sheep, horses, trucks and tractors, oh my!
By Nila Harris
FALMOUTH — Lindsey Arkenau knows all about the Pendleton County Youth Fair. She’s been showing sheep there since she was 2 years old.
Now, as an adult, she is one of the many volunteers who helps get things ready for the weeklong event.
“It’s chaotic behind the scenes getting animals to weight, broke, washed and fitted for shows, but in my opinion, it’s so worth it,” Arkenau said.
She recommends checking out the PCYF Facebook page or pcyouthfair.com for information, or grabbing a copy of the fair book at Heilman Hardware or the Pendleton County Extension Office.
Arkenau thinks Tuesday is the best day to attend, because “for novice night all the animals are there, and there are some pretty adorable kids showing. Or on Saturday for round robin (which is the best showman from each species competing in the same ring).”
Arkenau said she enjoys seeing the children’s hard work pay off at the Sale of the Champions on Saturday night as they sell their animals.
“It’s a great way for the community to support all the kiddos.”
Toots Adams, long-time fair participant, supporter and volunteer, agrees with Arkenau that Tuesday’s Novice Night is the best.
“The littles are so much fun,” Adams said.
Pendleton County farmer Martha Gosney said she loves the livestock showing.
“Lydia (her oldest daughter) has been showing lambs since she was 1 year old. That’s how I was introduced and started being involved. The kids are the best!”
Pendleton County Extension Agent Kenna Knight suggested getting a fair pass. “There are too many nights to not take advantage of a pass.”
You will find Knight at the Pendleton County Extension Homemakers’ funnel cake trailer. When she’s not selling funnel cakes, she will be at the livestock show ring watching her grandchildren and family members show livestock.
She loves Novice Night, too. “Watching those littles show warms my heart. Also, while watching the novice show, you can bid on some delicious cakes that help support local scholarships.”
Pendleton County High School agriculture teacher Chris Thompson has been on board helping at the fairgrounds. Although he wasn’t a “fair kid, I was an FFA kid.” He has been involved through PCHS’s Future Farmers of America club.
Thompson said he enjoys the livestock shows and “seeing all the community show their support for the students at the sale.”
Carol Caldwell has been an active participant in the fair since her children began showing livestock when they were youngsters. Now, Caldwell enjoys watching her grandchildren show.
But for Caldwell, it’s more than watching family members in events. As a retired schoolteacher and member of the fair board upon her retirement, Caldwell said that “it’s not just about fair kids, it’s about all kids.”
She told how the workers try to have something for everybody. Livestock showing is her personal favorite, “because my grandkids are showing.” But Caldwell also enjoys the creativity exhibited in the Floral Hall. From bread and butter pickles to quilts, photography to homegrown flowers, fine arts to canned goods and everything in between, Caldwell said she is amazed at the community response and creativity.
Whether fairgoers enjoy livestock judging, truck and tractor pulls, pageants, greased pig contests, carnival rides or fair food, there is something for the whole family to enjoy, according to fair board members.
Caldwell said that anyone is welcome to join the fair board, which meets the second Monday of each month. Each year, the group decides on a different area to focus on at the fairgrounds.
This year, the team was busily cleaning, renovating and adding new things to the kitchen. She is thankful for the volunteers and said that “it takes the whole town. The fair is a plus for our community.”