Boone County 4-H Utopia Fair
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The Boone County Fair program is published yearly by the Specialty Publications Department of The Community Recorder.
Boone County’s fairest of the fair . . . . 3 4-H Country Ham Project . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Barrel and pole racing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Fishing Frenzy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Livestock lend life’s lessons . . . . . . . . . 7 Miniature garden tractors . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Photography classes at the fair . . . . . 10 Demo derbies offer bang-up times . . 12 Fair photos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Horse show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Questions and comments can be sent to Editor Melissa Hayden c/o The Community Press/394 Wards Corner/Loveland, OH 45140, e-mail mhayden@communitypress.com, or call 513-248-7121. For advertising call 578-5501.
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Boone County’s fairest of the fair By Patricia A. Scheyer | Contributor The Boone County Fair started way back in 1932, when the world was a different place and Boone County was almost 100 percent agricultural. John Walton was 9 years old in 1940, and he was able to show animals at the fair that year. “When the fair started, it was held in Florence at the Fairgrounds across from where St. Paul’s church is now,” said Walton. “Then it moved to the Harvest Home grounds, on Limaburg road, by the golf course. Then it went to the Burlington elementary grounds, where the bus pen is now. Finally, it was moved to the present fairgrounds.” Walton was a 4-Her in 1940, and he showed chickens and garden produce at the fair. It must have made a great impression on him, because he became chair of the Fair Board in 1958, and he is still the chair. “Back then, people loved the fair, because it gave them a chance to bring what they had grown all year, and socialize with their neighbors,” explained Walton. “Now the county is increasingly more urbanized, and people get together with their neighbors all year round. But they still love the fair.” The 2010 County fair will begin on Saturday, July 31, with a tractor pull at the fairgrounds. On Sunday everyone will set up,
To advertise in the next year’s fair book call 578-5501.
Don’t miss out on the Boone County Fair. There’s lots to do and see for everyone.
so the fair can officially open on Monday, August 2. Admission is $8, and that includes all the rides. “This year we are expanding the carnival part of the fair, and we will have a few more rides for the kids,” said Walton. “We have a catalog of events available at the Extension Office, or you can go online to www.boonecountyfair.org. Be careful to go only to this website, or you may get another state. We have horse shows every
night, as usual, and Tuesday is the Miss Boone County Fair contest.” Sandra Cupps is a board member who helps organize every year. “On Friday night we will be having something new, a mini hot rod tractor pull with lawn tractors,” she said. “We also have a new 4-H Country ham exhibit, which is a new class. It is significant because the kids compete at a state level on this exhibit.”
Both Walton and Cupps say they try to keep the fair as close to its agricultural roots as possible, and emphasize that all the work is done by volunteers. All the money raised goes right back into the coffers for next year’s fair. “And even though we haven’t had this one yet, we’re starting to work on next year’s now,” said Walton. “But this fair is one of the best ever. Y’all come on down and enjoy the fun!”
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Boone County 4-H Utopia Fair
The 4-H Country Ham Project Now in its second year of the ‘cure’ By Neva Martin | Contributor
they had to write and give a three- to five-minute speech. This year, before going directThe 4-H Country Ham Project made its debut last year in Boone ly to the state fair, which begins Aug. 29, the 4-Hers will exhibit County, and this year has nearly one of their hams at the Boone doubled its participants from 13 County Fair competition. to 25. “The state will allow us to Paul Kroth, who leads the take one of our hams for our endeavor, has worked with 4-H county fair and one to the state for many years, attending University of Kentucky Extension fair,” Kroth added. “After the competitions in both places, each programs and becoming a certikid gets their hams back. But if fied livestock leader. “UK has several programs and they don’t give their speech (at the state fair), they have to give the Ham Project is one of them,” said Kroth, a Union resident with the hams back.” Learning how to cure hams a farm on Longbranch Road. “We’re always looking for some- teaches youth about where their food comes from, said Kroth. thing new for kids to get “(Curing) dates back thouinvolved (with). (The Ham Project) works for kids who don’t sands of years. Put it in the refrigerator and after three years have a farm.” you can still eat it,” he added. Last year, the state provided the 4-H youngsters , ages 9-18, in “The oral presentation helps them gain confidence.” the Ham Project with two fresh Brooke and Bethany Slagle are hams apiece in January, along two 4-Hers who started absorbwith two ham socks and curing ing these lessons last year. ingredients (sugar, pepper and “You learn to process hams salt). The 4-Hers learned the curing procedure and took the hams and be respectful and (the proto the Kentucky State Fair, where gram) teaches you to speak in
Dale and Brent Mastin, ages 12 and 10, said in addition to learning how to wash, cure and hang their hams, they had to find other supplies for their “ham house.” “We had to get our own fans and ham hooks,” said Dale. Topics for their speeches change every year. Juniors, age 13 and under, will talk of the history of country hams and how it fits into Kentucky history. The 14and-older group will speak on how to market and sell country hams, said Christy Eastwood, Youth Development agent. Last year’s topic, how to cure hams, garnered awards for a couple of the juniors at the state fair, said Rosemary Mastin, Dale and Brent’s mother. “Brent won first place with his ham and Brooke got fourth Brook Slagle won fourth place in the state place,” said Rosemary. “We did on her 4-H Country Ham Project last year. really well for the first year.” All are hopeful it will go well front of people,” said 11-year-old again. In addition to the Ham Brooke. Her 14-year-old sister Bethany Project, Brent and Dale will also exhibit livestock that includes agreed. “Last year we were just start- two hogs apiece, as well as vegetables. ing out,” said Bethany. “We’re going to eat part of my “Everyone was learning new prize ham this Thanksgiving,” stuff. This year it went a lot said Brent. smoother.”
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Barrel and pole racing are exciting By Patricia A. Scheyer | Contributor The Boone County Fair will again host a lively session of barrel and pole racing beginning at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 3. Linda Green, a Fair Board member who has been organizing the show for more than 20 years, says she has lots of help from her family setting the event up. “Everybody pitches in and helps,” she said. “We always have a very good crowd, even though our show goes on opposite the Miss Boone County fair contest. It’s great, because there’s something for everybody’s taste at the fair!” The barrel and pole racing are timed events for older children and adults, and there is a contest for children age 8 and under that leads off the program. “Our first program is the Peewee Pole contest, and it is a real crowd pleaser because you have these little bitty kids on these big horses, and it’s so cute,” said Green. “The judges are pretty lenient with this class, though, and many times you have parents or grandparents leading the horse through the course. It is considered a learning experience, and there is plenty of time for pictures.” The second group is ages 9 to 18, and the contest is more serious, with
contestants vying with each other to beat the best time, without knocking anything down. Once these contestants finish barrel and pole racing, the Open category is held, where anyone can enter and compete, although no rider can compete in both the Youth and the Open contests. Entrance fees are $5 for the Peewee, $15 for the Youth, and $20 for the Open category. “We jackpot our class entry fees,” said Green. “Depending on how many people enter, we figure out a percentage, and then divide the pot. We do ask all our riders to wear boots, and I actually prefer they not wear hats, because when they come off – and they do when you’re riding fast – it’s just one more thing in the way.” Green’s granddaughter, Kristin, is 15 years old, and she has been riding all her life. She regularly competes in barrel and pole racing, although she says she likes poles a little better. “My horse, Peppy, is a little better at poles,” she explained. “I think the key is that you have to practice a lot. People really like the pole and barrel races because it is exciting, and you don’t have to be quiet – you can yell for the all the riders if you want to. I love to race, and it’s great when you hear the people yelling.”
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Fishing Frenzy fares ‘reel’ well with families By Neva Martin | Contributor Goin’ fishin’ has become a good way to lure youngsters to the fair two days early, by way of the Fishing Frenzy. Now in its second year, the Fishing Frenzy will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 31, at the lake directly in front of the fairgrounds, welcoming youth ages 15 and younger for this catch-and-release event. “Everyone had a lot of fun last year,” said Paul Ankenbauer, program planner for Boone County Parks Department, which coordinates this free event that he calls a youth fishing derby. “We had 100 participants.” Parents must accompany their children and they can fish as well, if they have a Kentucky fishing license, Ankenbauer added. The kids don’t have to have one. Boone County Parks conducts a couple of fishing derbies throughout the year and will again be aided by volunteers from Northern Kentucky Flyfishers, who will help the children and supply the poles. “This year we’ll take the kids’ pictures when they catch one,” Ankenbauer said, adding that each child will receive a certificate with the picture. The child needn’t feel bad if he or she doesn’t reel in a catch. “We have our own park fish,” Ankenbauer said with a chuckle. “If they don’t catch a fish out of the lake, we provide a
Brent Mastin of Petersburg proudly displays his catch at last year's Fishing Frenzy.
rubber bass fish. We always say it’s the most photographed fish in Boone County. We use it all the time.” Sally Bridley of Burlington took her son Ryle, now 11, to the Fishing Frenzy last year and called it “a great time.” “It was wonderful seeing all the children,” Bridley said. “I liked it because it created a family atmosphere. A friend from across the street participated too, so we had two families together.” Ryle, a sixth-grader at Camp Ernst Middle School, says he goes fishing a lot, and enjoyed Fishing Frenzy. “I caught a catfish and a couple of bluegill,” Ryle said, and enjoyed fishing with his best buddy, Larry Fugate. “His little brother caught 10 catfish.” For additional information about the Fishing Frenzy, call the Boone County Parks Department at 334-2117 or go to www. boonecountyfair.org.
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Livestock lend life’s lessons are going to raise,” said Eastwood. “They have to look at the structure of the young aniIt wouldn’t be a county fair mal, and decide which animal without livestock, and Boone will ultimately produce the best County will host seven different muscle and structure. shows of livestock at the fair in “Then they have to figure out August; poultry, which has ducks how much food they need to buy and chickens, two sheep shows, and feed the animal to have it goats, swine, rabbits, beef and reach the desired weight goal by dairy. Winners of the shows are the time of the fair. There is a lot Grand Champion, Reserve, and for them to consider, and it all then they can place up to four goes into the learning process for slots down from there. them to understand how to raise “It all depends on how many a good animal.” entries there are in each show,” Eastwood said the project said Christy Eastwood, Boone almost always becomes a family County 4-H Youth Development project, but the student usually Agent. “The smallest show is learns responsibility, time manusually dairy.” agement, and money manageChildren can show animals from the time they are nine years ment. Eleven-year-old Aubrey Bays old until they are 18 when they are in 4-H, and a lot of work goes of Walton enters more than one animal, usually showing in the into the project. goats, the lambs, and the dairy “The whole thing starts when they pick out the animal that they feeder steers. She does look for By Patricia A. Scheyer | Contributor
certain characteristics in the animals that will mean that they will have more muscle, and therefore be more attractive to buyers at the fair. “In goats, I look for a more square shape to them,” she said. “I also look for a long loin. They are like dogs, because they follow you around, and they come when you call them.” She admitted that it is always hard to give the animals up, because she becomes close to them. “I always want to give them affection, and that really is a part of raising a good animal,” she explained. “But loving them makes it hard to give them up. I do have help with figuring out how much to feed all my animals, and I am learning. When I grow up, I’d like to be a veterinarian. I love being in 4-H … it’s a lot of fun!”
Raising livestock teaches young people many great lessons about life and responsibility.
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Miniature garden tractors going for a lot of 'pull' By Neva Martin | Contributor It’s not your father’s regular garden tractor, out merely to mow the grass or plant the corn and tomatoes. No, depending on the class, it has been built to do some heavy pulling. A new feature at the fair this year, the Miniature Hot Rod Garden Tractor Pull, rolls up at 7 p.m. Friday night at the Motor Sports Arena, and has been a dream of fair board member Jim Rudicill for some time. “I guess I’m the one who pursued it,” said Rudicill. “I’ve seen them (miniature garden tractor pulls) at other places and have wanted to have them for the last four or five years. We just happened to have a Friday night open.” Rudicill explained that, similar
to a regular farm tractor pulling contest, the tractor is hooked up to a pulling sled that has a box of weights on rollers that move forward, adding more weight and finally stopping the tractor. The tractor pulling its load the greatest distance wins. The contest includes five classes, with engines that go from the lightest to heaviest. “You’ve got motorcycle engines on them, hot rod tractors,” Rudicill added. “They’re beefed up, not just regular garden tractors.” In this first year, the North Central Kentucky Garden Tractor Pullers will be the ones primarily participating, he said. Larry Curtsinger, leader of the tractor pullers organization, said people will be coming from everywhere in the region, not just
locally. “We’ll likely have just four classes competing; nobody has shown up for the fifth classes,” he added. “That’s just where they run anything– (including) single cyclinders, double or diesel.” Besides fairground admission, which is $8, entry fees are $10 for Class 1 (1,000-pound sports stock) and $20 for the others. “Eighty percent (of entry fees) goes back to the pullers,” Curtsinger said. Motor Sports Arena events are a wonderful draw for fair goers, said Sandra Cupps, fair board member. “Motor sports seem to be very popular with all the action,” said Cupps. “The Motor Sports Arena is a nice venue and the fairgrounds itself is a nice venue. You may only have it in your
“Motor sports seem to be very popular with all the action.” heart to see the power, but then you see the rides, the food and the horses. This is a different kind of horsepower.” Rudicill said the Miniature Hot Rod Garden Tractor Pull may be pulling its own weight in the future. “This year it’ll be the (North Central Kentucky) club itself putting it on,” Rudicill said. “Next year, I’d say there’ll be people getting involved and waiting to build a tractor themselves.” For more information or to register for the Mini Hot Rod Tractor Pull, call Larry Curtsinger at 289-7433.
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New photography classes at fair By Patricia A. Scheyer | Contributor There will be six new classes of photography at the Boone County Fair this year. Rae Beasley has been in charge of the Photography Show for more than 20 years, and she enjoys seeing the pictures that people turn in. “Last year we had 339 entries, and because there were so many pictures, we ended up having as many as 30 pictures in each class,” said Beasley. “It’s better for the judges
if there are 15 to 20 pictures in each class. So I went to the board and asked if we could split some of the classes, and that resulted in more classes, with a total of 28 this year.” One category is the black and white photos, and within that category are people, scenic, pictorial, nature, and small and large domestic and captive animals. There are two categories of color photographs, one for ages 14 and under, and one for ages 15 and older.
Nineteen classes are in the older category, and 4 in the 14 and under. The new classes include wild birds, bugs and insects, Kentucky barns, and scenic landscape, which has been divided into rural, and city or urban. “I am particularly proud of the Kentucky barns class, because Boone County started out as an agricultural area, and I’d love to see young people drive around the countryside, and take notice of the farm buildings before they all disappear,” said Beasley. Beasley said that many times there is confusion about what class to put their photo in. She specified that if anyone has questions, they can call her at 525-2975. All pic-
such a big mat on it, and we have a lot of entries, so we had to put a size limit on the entries,” said Beasley. “Also, someone always comes each year tures have to be at the with a picture framed fairgrounds on Monday, under glass, and we can’t Aug. 2, between 2 and 7 accept that. They have to pm. The pictures are judged Tuesday morning. be mounted on a sturdy board, and they can be A few things have changed in the rules, such matted.” Virginia Lainhart of as each person can still Hebron started being enter six pictures, but they interested in photography can only enter one picture since around 1950, and per class, whereas last over the years she has year two pictures per class taken photos of everywere allowed. Another thing from animals to consideration is that each flowers to scenery during picture can be no smaller than 4-by-6, and no larger her travels with her husband. She has collected than 11-by-14, but this several ribbons from the year the overall size can be no larger than 16-by-20. Boone County Fair photography contest, and “Every year we have people who might have a isn’t sure if she is going to small picture, but they put enter this year. But she has a little advice for new photographers. “When you take pictures, you have to be patient,“ she stated. “You look through the viewfinder, and think ’what do I want to capture?’ You don’t just point and shoot. And what you create will always bring back memories, for years to come.”
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Demolition derbies offer bang-up good times By Neva Martin | Contributor For crash-’em-up, burn-’em-up enthusiasts, 7:30 p.m. is the magical time for the first three nights of the fair. That’s when demolition derbies are on track at the fair’s Motor Sports Arena. On Monday, it’s the screaming mini-cars. On Wednesday, it’s the fullsized sedans. Tucked in between on Tuesday, it’s the Tire Burnout Contest and Lawn Mower Derby, with a mini cars-figure 8 contest thrown in. There’s something appealing to participants
and spectators alike when it comes to metal-on-metal contact, with vehicles running into each other until only one is left standing, according to Emery Martin, from Derby King, which stages the fair’s demolition derby races. “It’s an anxiety outlet for people with pent-up frustration,” said Martin. “You can’t do it on the road. It’s called road rage.” A participant and winner from prior demolition derbies agrees. Boone County resident Gary Prather has been running (and ramming) cars for
Demolition derbies have been a longtime favorite at the fair.
the past 17 years. “It’s just the adrenaline rush,” said Prather. “My family’s done it ever since I was young. When I got old enough, I wanted to do it, too.” Prather also promotes demolition events, including those at the Kenton County Fair, just as Martin promotes the ones
for Boone’s fair. Prather plans to run again in the fair’s derby this year, for Wednesday’s Full-Size Sedan event. His car of choice is either a Ford Crown Victoria or a Lincoln. His wife, Rachael, will participate as well, which he encourages. “It’s a joy watching her
run, if she’d like to,” he added. Last year was the first year for the Lawn Mower Derby, said fair board member Sandra Cupps, who had pushed for the idea. “It seemed to be very successful,” said Cupps. “That’s why we’re doing it again.” The Monday and Wednesday night events are $35 across the board, said Martin , but the Tuesday night garden tractor event costs $20 to enter. The Tire Burnout, “anything with a wheel,” is limited to the first 50 entrants, and costs nothing. “You could win $100.” For safety’s sake, garden-tractor entrants must construct a cage that goes around the drivers’ legs and feet as well as wear a helmet. The battery must be removed, which sounds counter-intuitive, but the mowers are jumpstarted only one time before the drivers look for others to crash into. The mower left standing is the winner. “I ran the mower (event) last year and got third,” said Prather. “My mom, Jenny, ended up winning. I was actually glad to see her win.” Demolition derbies have lost participants because of the economic times, said King. “Before, it wouldn’t be unusual for 30 to 40 cars to be registered,” King added. “Now, we’ve doubled the prize money. With 40 cars, a winner would receive $500. Now if 10 or more show up, they can receive $1,000.” To register for any of the demolition derbies, call Emery Martin at 270268-1356.
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Boone County 4-H Utopia Fair
Pageants are a fair favorite.
Takoda Walton exhibits a dairy feeder steer at the fair. Kids of all ages enjoy the Fishing Frenzy, a youth fishing derby that kicks off the fair again this year.
The fair is the perfect place to show off your growing skills.
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Horse shows define fair By Patricia A. Scheyer | Contributor Horse shows have been part of the Boone County fair since its inception in 1932, and fairgoers can see at least one horse show every day, from Monday, Aug. 2, through Saturday, Aug. 7. Fair Board Member Linda Green is in charge of the Western Pleasure horse show on Monday, and the Pole and Barrel racing on Tuesday, and Larry Burcham, also a Fair Board Member, has organized the shows from Wednesday through Saturday for almost 40 years. “We have people who come to our horse shows from at least six states,” said Burcham. “They use our shows to prepare for the World Championship American Saddle Bred competition which is at the Kentucky State Fair the last week of August.” The show schedule starts for Burcham on Wednesday, with 16
“We have people come to our horse shows from at least six states.” classes of Tennessee Walkers, the grand old plantation horses. Thursday includes show, registered and hackneyed ponies, as well as the Arabian costume class, a very popular show, and hunt horses, which is similar to the bigger horse shows, but there is no jumping. “We have a lot of hunt horses in Boone County,” Burcham added. Friday night showcases the hackney ponies, and the Cobb ponies, which are the kind that pull the Queen’s carriage. There are also three and five gaited horses, and American Saddle Breds, along with several high stepping categories.
“Saturday night is pretty much the same as Friday night, except it is the championship shows,” explained Burcham. “I think most people have always wanted to have a horse, and show it, and for many the horse shows are close to living out a fantasy. Also, Kentucky is horse country, so they love to come and see their horses.” Kim Smith, whose parents own Sandy Run Stables, teaches riding, and has shown horses at the fair since she was six years old. About 13 of her students will participate in the shows, one as young as 10 years old, who is entered in the Walk Trot Equitation, and a lady in her 60s,
Sierra Pintarich, 10 on her National Show Horse, Primo Bandoso.
who will compete in Pleasure Driving, since there is no riding class for her. “It has always been her dream to show horses, even though she grew up with them,” said Smith. “I think people like to compete, and improve for next year. And they like hanging out with others who compete. It is just fun!”