Fair time is year ‘round

"We work with our animals at least two hours a day," Amanda said.

Even though they work hard just before the opening of the fair, preparation began over a year ago. This year, Amanda showed a three-year-old Holstein cow which she had shown the year before. After last year's fair, she had to decide if the cow would go one more year. Amanda decided a second year would be fine. "She lives for the fair...It's as if she lives to be on display."

This past year, the Ramsay family purchased a young Angus bull, two polled Hereford heifers and a Charolais heifer to go with their two Holsteins. Amanda showed five of the animals and Matt showed the other.

Fair preparation activity became intense in the last month. During this time, the animals were trained to be lead. The beef animals had to become accustomed to a show stick, and the dairy class animals had to be trained to "set up" for showing since they can only be touched on the head in the show ring.

The cattle were pre-trimmed, washed, and blown dry each day. These animals do not need to become accustomed to crowds as most have been at FFA elementary school petting zoo and at Barnyard Days.

Amanda explained, "Our animals get a lot of trailer time."

She laughed when she added that they seem to take loading in the trailer in stride with an "Oh, here we go again" attitude.

It is as if the animals say, "I wonder how many kids will pet me today?"

These young people attend other events over the year such as demonstrations on clipping and "dressing up" animals, and hints showing in the ring. Some animals need shots, some need tests, and nearly all need ear tags. Of course, the animals must be fed, watered, and doctored all year long.

Amanda, a senior at Neosho High School, also entered two cakes, two horticulture plants, and two science projects in the fair competition. She also was also a Fair Queen candidates.

Getting ready for the county fair is a year-long activity for those who want to exhibit. A week before the Newton County Fair, Amanda Ramsay and her younger brother Matt were in full swing putting the final touches to their exhibits.

"We work with our animals at least two hours a day," Amanda said.

Even though they work hard just before the opening of the fair, preparation began over a year ago. This year, Amanda showed a three-year-old Holstein cow which she had shown the year before. After last year's fair, she had to decide if the cow would go one more year. Amanda decided a second year would be fine. "She lives for the fair...It's as if she lives to be on display."

This past year, the Ramsay family purchased a young Angus bull, two polled Hereford heifers and a Charolais heifer to go with their two Holsteins. Amanda showed five of the animals and Matt showed the other.

Fair preparation activity became intense in the last month. During this time, the animals were trained to be lead. The beef animals had to become accustomed to a show stick, and the dairy class animals had to be trained to "set up" for showing since they can only be touched on the head in the show ring.

The cattle were pre-trimmed, washed, and blown dry each day. These animals do not need to become accustomed to crowds as most have been at FFA elementary school petting zoo and at Barnyard Days.

Amanda explained, "Our animals get a lot of trailer time."

She laughed when she added that they seem to take loading in the trailer in stride with an "Oh, here we go again" attitude.

It is as if the animals say, "I wonder how many kids will pet me today?"

These young people attend other events over the year such as demonstrations on clipping and "dressing up" animals, and hints showing in the ring. Some animals need shots, some need tests, and nearly all need ear tags. Of course, the animals must be fed, watered, and doctored all year long.

Amanda, a senior at Neosho High School, also entered two cakes, two horticulture plants, and two science projects in the fair competition. She also was also a Fair Queen candidates.

Matt, a freshman at Neosho High, entered two horticulture plants, a scrapbook, two photographs, and showed Buck, his dog, in the ring. Showing a dog was his first entry in the fair as a small boy, and he has continued to do so every year since.

Besides attending school, this brother and sister also participate in area Showdeoes and both are members of the Ozarks Saddle Club 4-H group. They are also members of the Neosho High School FFA chapter.

No matter how much work showing at the fair is, both Amanda and Matt agree it is a good thing. Amanda said, "It's all about fun. It is the competition and seeing the trophies all lined up."

Amanda also said some unexpected things are memorable. For example, her Holstein cow nearly swallowed the herdsman award she won last year.

Matt says it is "just being at the fair—being part of it."

Now that the fair is over, Amanda and Matt have some decisions to make and some work to do as they begin working on 2011 fair and all the "fun" that will go with it.