By Susan Redden

sredden@joplinglobe.com

For many area residents, the county fair is a pleasant diversion for an afternoon or evening, to admire the animals, eat a hot dog or take the kids to the carnival.

For other families, the fair comes closer to a working vacation. Farm families and rural residents from across the region go to local fairs to show off projects they have worked on for the past year — anything from a steer, to garden crops, to artwork — and to see how they compare with those raised or crafted by their neighbors.

The Jasper County Youth Fair meets that definition for the Weaver family, of Carthage, according to Levi Weaver, age 12.

“I get to show what I’ve been working on, but I like it because it’s a vacation, and I get to spend time with my family and everyone here,” he said.

Levi and Pam Weaver, his mother, were tending three of his goats on display at the fair. Levi and siblings Ely, Kylee and Grady were showing animals, and were staying at the fair to give them round-the-clock care.

“It really is a vacation for us; their dad takes off work and we camp out here,” said Pam Weaver.

Similar scenes are under way this week at the Newton County Fair in Neosho, where entries from youths and adult exhibitors are involved, and at the Vernon County Youth Fair in Nevada. All three fairs wrap up today.

The McDonald County Fair is set for Thursday through Saturday in Anderson, to be followed by the Cherokee County American Legion Free Fair and Reunion from July 24 through 28 in Columbus, Kan.

Competition in the Jasper County Youth Fair — like those in Vernon and Lawrence counties — is confined to entries from 4-H Club members, FFA students, and those from other youth groups in the county.

Though youths are the competitors, activities involve the whole family and parents at the fair say they encourage the projects as a way help their children learn responsibility.

“We wanted them to have a chore, to learn to take care of animals and to learn responsibility,” said Kenda Ogle, of Sarcoxie.

She was standing with daughter Lani, age 9, whose charge, Baby, a White-crested Black Polish hen, was competing in the poultry division. Kenda said another son, Bryce, was also at the fair, showing Holstein calves.

Chet Nichols, age 10, also of Sarcoxie, was proudly showing off Bingo, his rabbit that had been judged as best in show. Dee Nichols, his mother, said she also appreciated the learning opportunities that come with the fair.

“It’s just fun,” Chet volunteered.

Though the fair is an annual event for many families, this year was the first for Karrin Daugherty, of Carthage. She was there showing Bonnie and Clyde, twin sheep.

“I like working with animals; I want to be a vet someday,” she said.

Her mother, Melissa Daugherty, said she was impressed with her first experience as a fair parent.

“It’s well-organized, and other people are willing to talk and offer you advice, even if they’re in the same competition,” she said. “It’s a lot more social than competitive.”

Dustin Lane, originally of Neosho, pushed his three-month-old son, Owen, in a stroller as he and his wife, Tara, on Friday toured the Newton County fairgrounds.

Though it was early in the day, the event already was attracting visitors and at least 100 people were milling about as exhibitors prepared their livestock to show.

Lane said he enjoys being back in Neosho where he was raised since moving to Springfield.

“We just came out to walk around and eat as much funnel cake as possible, and to see the cattle and goats,” Lane said.

Phil and Jeanie Stevens, of Seneca, said they came to experience everything at the fair — food, exhibits, poultry, livestock and shows.

Jeanie Stevens said she was most impressed with the 4-H exhibits on display indoors.

“There is a lot of talent in these young people,” she said. “I was amazed.”

Kara Roelfsema, of Neosho, made her way with two toddlers to the show ring to watch her cousin show a bull. She said her daughter especially enjoys the petting zoo.

The fairs share common characteristics, such as competitions involving livestock and farm crops, arts and crafts, foods and a wide array of other projects. They also have features peculiar to each event.

The McDonald County Fair includes a scare-crow contest, a play presented by the McDonald County Summer Theater, a turkey-calling contest, a turtle race, youth tractor pull and show-deo. Special music also is scheduled, with bluegrass performances set for Thursday and gospel performances on Friday and Saturday.

The Cherokee County Fair will stage an ice-cream social, a dessert auction, a greasy-pig contest, a barnyard Olympics, and a carnival, with free musical entertainment each night at the bandstand.

An ugly-truck contest and an antique-car show are among events planned for the Barton County Free Fair, set for Aug. 22-25 in Lamar. Known as one of Missouri’s largest free fairs, the event is held on Lamar’s downtown square and also includes a kids’ fun-night, a midway carnival, a parade and 4-H displays.



Other fairs

Ozark Empire Fair, July 27-Aug. 7 in Springfield; the Missouri State Fair, Aug. 9-19 in Sedalia; and the Kansas State Fair, Sept. 7-16 in Hutchison, Kan.