FARMINGTON — An early-morning shower and some afternoon humidity could not dampen spirits as the 176th annual Franklin County Agricultural Society’s Farmington Fair which started Sunday.
“It is looking good,” said Neal Yeaton, society secretary.
The fair continues through Saturday, Sept. 24.
Feya the cow was being showered and brushed down near the cow barns in preparation for an upcoming 4-H show.
Feya was born at Farmington Fair last year and is now all grown up and ready to show. She will celebrate her first birthday this week.
Owned by Fred and Teresa Hardy from the Hardy Farm in Farmington, a young 4-H member, Judith Ross, will show the cow and two others from the farm, Ross said. Judith’s sister, Amelia, and Teresa Hardy helped Sunday with preparations for showing.
The squawking of poultry birds, large and small, drew the crowd’s attention as 376 birds responded to their new environment.
The numbers are up from last year, said Darlene Yeaton-Nelson, a participant at the fair.
There are 79 large fowl this year, seven turkeys, 96 pigeons, 72 waterfowl and 11 bantams, she said.
A pigeon owned by Mike Turner of Jay won Best in Show-Best of Breed.
Judges look for a standard of perfection — the right size, the right comb and color, Turner said. Every breed has its own characteristics.
He grows performing birds, rollers and tumblers, instead of homing pigeons. They are considered performers because rollers fly up and roll down and tumblers tumble down backwards.
It is not a trained feat, he said, but something they do instinctually — it is about their genetics.
Turner also had a prize-winning turkey in the show.
Spectators browsed the displays in the Starbird Building and the many varieties of vegetables and baked items on display at the Exhibition Hall.
At the Red Schoolhouse Museum, Ron Pratt of Farmington was honored for his leadership work on the museum committee and efforts he’s made to move the Route 2 schoolhouse to the fairgrounds.
A crowd gathered in the pulling ring to watch oxen in the 2,900-pounds-and-under and 3,300-pound classes.
As the midway opened Sunday afternoon, children enjoyed the rides.
Cassie Bubier, 6, waited for a ride on a longtime favorite, the merry-go-round. Her parents, Angel and David Bubier, said they had been there for a couple hours and waited for the rides to begin.
Monday begins with the annual Agriculture Education Day. Oxen pulls are planned throughout the day along with pari-mutuel racing.
A 4-H Dairy Show is scheduled for 4 p.m. and a drag race for 6:30 p.m.
A ride special is offered Monday from 5 to 10 p.m. and another on Wednesday from 1 to 9 p.m.
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