Summer Trek to Bi-County Fair: Part 3

Summer Trek to the Bi-County Fair: Part 3 ARE WE THERE YET?

By Kathy Polich and Trystin Chavez

Kathy:

Summer is ending and the Bi-County Fair is about a month away. Historically speaking, the Dog Days of Summer are the time from July 3rd to August 11th. If you refer to an almanac, you will learn about the rising of Sirius and the Sun. I just know it means the worst summer heat. Each day that I head to the barn to check on the progress of the show animals, I turn into a small child on a long uncomfortable car ride and think to myself, “Are we there yet?” I cannot wait for Labor Day. The culmination of hard work, sweat, and tears will end with our barn being empty. The market animals that occupy it now will leave. My laundry room will go back to smelling like fabric softener and not a combination of sweat and manure. Thinking about the empty barn reminds me, it’s just the Dog Days of Summer that make me ready for the journey to the fair to end.

This time of year, the barn is full of a lot more than just animals. Laughter and great

conversations outnumber arguments and tears. My son is entering his senior year in high school. Technically, he could get a barn full of critters next spring and show them at next year’s fair. But he may choose to move on. This might be the last year of the hustle and bustle and the heat. Excuse me for a second—I need to do a little self-talk. “Stop getting teary-eyed, cowgirls don’t cry! Live in the moment and enjoy every moment you can with that kid, even when he smells like the barn!” I guess when it comes down to it, I am not quite ready to be there yet!

Trystin:

I am starting to get nervous. We are 40 days away from the fair. I hope my animals are going to be ready. It is hard work to take care of them. I want to do my best at the fair. Sometimes I wonder if I am doing things right: Will they be big enough, or too fat? Will my steer behave in the show ring around other people? Should I exercise the goats more? All these questions drive me nuts. There is so much to do the last month. This week I will take my steer, Cimarron, to my friend’s ranch in Grants to get his hooves trimmed. It is fascinating to watch. He will go in a chute; it will turn him over, so he is laying on his side. Then, a farrier will trim his hooves. It will not hurt him, and he won’t mind it a bit! I cannot wait for Labor Day weekend and the Bi-County Fair. I love to show my animals and hang out with my friends. I am starting to get very excited; I feel like a little kid driving their parents nuts, “Are we there yet?”

We would like to invite you to the 50th Bi-County Fair at Prewitt, New Mexico. Come watch the market animal show and stroll through the exhibits. Saturday evening will be a Reunion dinner and dance. If you have ever been to BiCounty, we would love to have you back. Newcomers are welcome, too! Find us on Facebook for more details and a schedule of events. You can also find the fair-book online at www.bi-countyfair. com, if you are interested in entering something into our exhibit hall. Categories for the open show include, but are not limited to the following: vegetables, baking, sewing, photography, flowers, and wood/metal craft.

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Photo: Jim Myers

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