4-Hers wrap up their fair week

COLUMBIA - I am tired. I've been pushed, pulled, prodded, brushed, washed and dragged around an arena.

I am a 4-H show steer, and I showed Thursday at the Boone County Fair. I stood there tied, trying to be good, but all I really wanted was my pasture, my grass, and a few blissful hours to myself. Is that so much to ask?

It was for this week, at least. Since Thursday, July 17, 4-H members have been showing their animals and their projects at the Boone County Fair. Thursday was the last day of the showing, with rabbits and steers taking center stage. 4-Hers can finally take a breather until next year.

For 15-year-old Cooper Martin, who showed goats and pigs, the showing was the best part of the fair.

"I did really, really well with my goats and OK with my pigs," he said.

Though Katie Martin, 14, had this year's Grand Champion market hog, she said her favorite part of the fair was getting to interact with people from other towns and making new friends.

She said that this has been a more exciting fair than others because everyone has enjoyed being here, thanks to the weather, which has been cooler than normal.

Stephanie Femrite, 4-H educator for Boone County, added that the week's rains have made morning preparations a little rough but the rain stopped every day for the showing.

The only thing left for 4-Hers now is the livestock auction and the Ag Olympics. The livestock auction will start with a buyer's dinner at 4:30 p.m., during which prospective buyers are welcomed to stop by, Femrite said. The auction will kick off at 6 p.m. The 4-Hers have the option of selling one animal of each species they show, but they can sell only two animals at the auction. Overall, the fair was a success, Femrite said.

"For each of the shows, it's great to watch the kids show and be pleased with what they did," Femrite said. "The judges have all been great at giving their reasons and helping the kids learn."