As far back as he can remember, Connor Stodola’s family has been involved in showing animals at the fair. This year will be no different as Connor gets ready to load up his 3 pigs for next week’s Kewaunee County Fair. He had always been a fan of all the animals on the farm and couldn’t wait to be old enough to join his local 4-H and get started showing.
Mitchell Weir has been working with beef cattle for his show projects for 6 years now. His Mom’s entire family showed when he was younger, so she signed Mitchell up for Little Squealers to see if he would like it and he really enjoyed it. He started showing beef through his 4-H program in the 7th grade and currently represents the Kewskum FFA organization which he joined his freshman year of high school.
Cami Guelig loves to see the reaction from people when they see “The Big Guy”. Cami will be participating in the Poultry division at the Fond du Lac County Fair. The Guelig’s do their own breeding and their flock includes Blue Ameraucanas, Black Australorps, and Buff Orpingtons.
Eden Chapin and Bryce Crowley are working with their sheep to get them ready for this year’s Winnebago County Fair-Oshkosh, WI. They spend time walking the sheep around to get them prepared for the show ring and used to wearing a halter. Indiana, is one of the 4 sheep that Eden will be bringing to the fair and Bryce has Rockstar as his project.
“You’re excited and anxious to do well, but then you always have that panic that your goat won’t cooperate.” That is how Ben Weber, Amelia Steffes and Luke Weber describe showing at the fair. The cousins have been doing projects for 4 years, but still feel that nervous excitement when it’s time to show their goats.
Aren Frank loves the attitude of Mave, her fair project for this year. She will be showing her at the Brown County Fair Wisconsin in the Dairy Division. Aren also raises Lionhead Rabbits to show in the Meat Rabbit Division. She recognized that doing fair projects has taught her responsibility, time commitment and patience.
Rachel Shedal has selected Guinea Pigs and Call Ducks as her projects to compete at this year’s Manitowoc County Fair. This will be her fourth year participating in the Cavy (guinea pig) division. Her guinea pigs, Thrip (pictured), Nutmeg, Expresso, and Mocha, will each be entered in a different category.
Alexandria Boenisch is an 8th grader at Sheboygan Falls Middle School. She joined the Sheboygan County Wranglers 4-H Club 5 years ago with the encouragement of her dad who had been in 4-H when he was growing up.
Steers are her favorite! Brooklyn Duchatschek’s fair projects have included steers, pigs, crops, cultural art and photography, but she loves her steer projects the most! “Sometimes they are wild and sometimes they love me,” she said. “I love seeing the personality in each of them.”
Gary Kumrow has been showing at the Sheboygan County Fair Park since he was 5 years old and a member in the 4-H Cloverbud program. He has been involved for 13 years now and has participated with Poultry, Rabbits, Crops, Wood Working, Vegetables, and Lego projects.