2012 Linn County Fair by Mid-Valley Media

WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 2012, ALBANY DEMOCRAT-HERALD, CORVALLIS GAZETTE-TIMES

Fair fun kicks off Thursday This year’s theme is ‘Country Pride, County Wide’ BY ALEX PAUL ALBANY DEMOCRAT-HERALD

Children ages 12 and under will be admitted free every day at the Linn County Fair, which runs Thursday through Sunday, July 19-22, according to Joe Calderon, fair board president. “We want to see lots of families every day of the fair,” Calderon said, adding that adult admission is just $7, or $5 for seniors. Admission has not been raised in several years, Calderon said. Plus, three of the four days will offer free admission to special groups. Seniors ages 60 and up will get in free all day Thursday, July 19, and anyone else can get in free until 3 p.m. Friday, July 20, is Family Day with free admission for all until 3 p.m., on Sunday, July 22, active military personnel with valid ID will be admitted free all day. This year’s theme is “Country Pride, County Wide.” Calderon said he hopes to see more than 35,000 people at this year’s fair, up from 27,000 last year. “We’ve added regional music acts on the main stage much of the day,”

Calderon. “And I think we have outstanding entertainment every night.” The main stage will come to life at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Legendary rock group Three Dog Night will kick off the main stage entertainment Thursday with hits including “Joy to the World.” Former policeman Eddie Money is Friday night’s headliner, with hits like “Baby Hold On,” and “Two Tickets to Paradise.” Mid-valley favorite Sawyer Brown takes the stage on Saturday with “Some Girls Do,” “The Dirt Road” and “Hard to Say.” Calderon said the two performances of the Knights of the Realm on Sunday may be last the fair sees for a while. “They have become internationally popular and getting open dates is getting tough,” Calderon said. “I never realized how much their act is enjoyed by young people until last year.” Expo Center marketing manager Jan Taylor said the Union County Rodeo Court is going to help with the annual bull bash and wild and wooly events in the arena on Friday and

MARK YLEN/DEMOCRAT-HERALD

A Davis Amusement employee scrubs a ride as the company sets up for last year’s Linn County Fair. The 2012 event starts Thursday.

IF YOU GO

During the 2011 fair, Kailey Strange, 9, races Landon McClearn, 6, both of Albany, in the tractor pull. Saturday nights. “There will also be mutton bustin’ and a stick horse rodeo for kids,” Taylor said. Taylor said more than 100 contestants have registered for barrel racing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the arena.

Taylor said there will be qualifying heats before the main event. Another popular group coming to the fair will be the Oregon Dairy Women’s ice cream red barn. “This is going to be very popular,” Taylor said. “It

will be in the food vendor area.” Every day is also packed with a variety of 4H and FFA contests and special events culminating with the annual 4H/FFA auction at 3 p.m. Saturday, followed by a barbecue at 6 p.m.

What: 2012 Linn County Fair. When: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday, July 19, through Saturday, July 21; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 22. Where: Linn County Fair & Expo Center, 3700 Knox Butte Road, Albany. Admission: $7 general admission, $5 seniors, children 12 and under free. Reduced-rate season passes are available. Specials: Thursday is Senior Day, with seniors getting in free all day and everyone else free until 3 p.m. Friday is Family Day, with free admission for all until 3 p.m. On Sunday, active military personnel with valid ID will be admitted free. Parking: $4 daily or $12 for the season. Carnival: All-day wristbands are priced at $25; individual tickets are $3.50. Info: www.linncounty fair.com.

ALBANY DEMOCRAT-HERALD, CORVALLIS GAZETTE-TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 2012

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5:30 p.m.: Pedal Tractors, FamilyLand 6 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Auction Buyer’s Barbecue, Santiam 6 p.m.: Wild ‘N Wooly, Arena 6 p.m.: Racing Pigs, FamilyLand 6:30 p.m.: Jackson Michelson, MainStage 8:30 p.m.: Sawyer Brown, MainStage

EXHIBITOR/ VENDOR PARKING

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Sunday, July 22

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Willamette Events Center Calapooia Arena Cascade Livestock Pavilion Santiam Building

Public entry road

Knox Butte Road

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Action Lumber Advanced Mechanical Affair Catering Albany Democrat-Herald Allied Waste ATI Wah Chang Boshart Trucking City of Millersburg Coastal Farm CoEnergy Columbia Distributing Comcast Comfort Suites Complete Wireless Crop Production Services Dever Farms Econo Lodge El Sol De Mexico Eola Hills Winery Healthnet Heritage Mall Holiday Inn Hope Radio Dr. Howerton Dr. Douglas and Kerry Johnson KEZI KGAL/KSHO Knife River LaQuinta Inn Lassen RV Lee Thompson Les Schwab Tire Center Linn Benton Tractor Linn Co Federal Credit Union Lochmead Dairy Mark Thomas Motors Mom Magazine National Frozen Foods ODS Oregon Paint Horse Club The Party Store Peak Internet Pearl Vodka Pepsi Phoenix Inn Pride Printing Quality Inn Ram Rodeo Red Canoe CU Rhodes Warden Rick Franklin/AERC RWE Samaritan Health Scio Mutual South Commercial Auto Stems & Stuff Stutzman Services Sunbelt Sybaris Target Tom’s Garden Center Toyota Dr. Curtis Trammel Umpqua Bank Weatherford Thompson Weaver Seed Wilco Willamette Community Bank Willamette Speedway Xtreme Graphics

LINN COUNTY FAIR & EXPO CENTER

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Courtyard Main Stage Timber Street

Schedule of events Thursday, July 19 9 a.m.: 4-H/FFA, Sheep Barn 9 a.m.: 4-H/FFA Rabbit/Cavy Showmanship, Santiam Noon: 4-H/FFA Dairy Cattle, Barn Noon: Racing Pigs, FamilyLand 12:30 p.m.: Adam the Great, FamilyLand 1 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Poultry Showmanship, Santiam 1 p.m.: Marty Davis, MainStage 1 p.m.: Pedal Tractors, FamilyLand 1:30 p.m.: Racing Pigs, FamilyLand 2 p.m.: Senior Ice Cream Social, VIP 2 p.m.: Cascade Performing Arts, Expo 2 p.m.: Brady Goss, FamilyLand 3 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Beef, Barn 3 p.m.: Brady Goss, MainStage 3 p.m.: Pedal Tractors, FamilyLand 3:30 p.m.: Marty Davis, FamilyLand 4 p.m.: The Catillacs, MainStage 4 p.m.: Adam the Great, FamilyLand 4:30 p.m.: 4-H Favorite Foods Contest, Expo 4:30 p.m.: Racing Pigs, FamilyLand 5 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Swine, Barn

5 p.m.: Marty Davis, MainStage 5 p.m.: Brady Goss, Expo 5 p.m.: Pedal Tactors, FamilyLand 6 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Sheep Showmanship, Barn 6 p.m.: Racing Pigs, FamilyLand 6:30 p.m.: Barrel Racing, Arena 6:30 p.m.: Fate 55, MainStage 8:30 p.m.: Three Dog Night, MainStage

Friday, July 20 9 a.m.: 4-H/FFA Dairy, Pygmy Goats, Barn 9 a.m.: 4-H/FFA Cavy/Rabbits, Santiam 10:30 a.m.: 4-H/FFA Livestock Judging Contest, Barn Noon: 4-H/FFA Dairy Showmanship, Barn Noon: Racing Pigs, FamilyLand 12:30 p.m.: Alex Zerbe, FamilyLand 1 p.m.: Milk Chug-a-Lug Contest, Barn 1 p.m.: Tristan Nichols, MainStage 1 p.m.: Adam the Great, FamilyLand 1:30 p.m.: Pedal Tractors, FamilyLand 2 p.m.: Rock ‘N Roll Cowboys, MainStage 2 p.m.: Racing Pigs, FamilyLand

2:30 p.m.: Open Dairy Cattle, Barn 2:30 p.m.: Alex Zerbe, FamilyLand 3 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Beef Showmanship, Barn 3 p.m.: Mind Spool, MainStage 3 p.m.: Adam the Great, FamilyLand 3 p.m.: Tristan Nichols, Expo 3:30 p.m.: Pedal Tractors, FamilyLand 4 p.m.: 4-H Swine Showmanship, Barn 4 p.m.: Racing Pigs, FamilyLand 4:30 p.m.: Brady Goss, MainStage 4:30 p.m.: Alex Zerbe, FamilyLand 5 p.m.: Adam the Great, FamilyLand 5:30 p.m.: Pedal Tractors, FamilyLand 6 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Pack Goats, Barn 6 p.m.: Racing Pigs, FamilyLand 6:30 p.m.: Bull Bash, Arena 6:30 p.m.: Vicki Stephens Band, MainStage 8:30 p.m.: Eddie Money, MainStage

Saturday, July 21 8 a.m.: Open Class Goats, Barn 9 a.m.: Open Beef Barn, Barn

10 a.m.: 4-H/FFA Small Animal Master Showmanship, Santiam 11 a.m.: Open Sheep, Barn Noon: Brady Goss, Expo Noon: Racing Pigs, FamilyLand 12:30 p.m.: Alex Zerbe, FamilyLand 1 p.m.: Car Show in the Park, Timber-Linn Park 1 p.m.: Adam the Great, FamilyLand 1:30 p.m.: Pedal Tractors, FamilyLand 2 p.m.: 4-H Animal Costume Contest, Barn 2 p.m.: Racing Pigs, FamilyLand 2:30 p.m.: Pre-4-H Small Animal Showmanship, Santiam 2:30 p.m.: Alex Zerbe, FamilyLand 3 p.m.: Annual 4-H/FFA Market Livestock Auction, Barn 3 p.m.: Cascade Rye, MainStage 3 p.m.: Adam the Great, FamilyLand 3:30 p.m.: Marty Davis, Expo 3:30 p.m.: Pedal Tractors, FamilyLand 4 p.m.: Brady Goss, MainStage 4 p.m.: Racing Pigs, FamilyLand 4:30 p.m.: Alex Zerbe, FamilyLand 5 p.m.: Marty Davis, MainStage 5 p.m.: Adam the Great, FamilyLand

8:30 a.m.: 4-H/FFA Master Showmanship, Arena followed by Tug-of-War contest followed by 4-H/FFA Awards Ceremony 9 a.m.: Open Class Rabbits, Santiam 11 a.m.: Open Class Cavies, Santiam Noon: Country Showdown, MainStage Noon: Racing Pigs, FamilyLand Noon: Alex Zerbe, Expo 12:30 p.m.: Adam the Great, FamilyLand 1 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Small Animal Awards Ceremony, Santiam 1 p.m.: Pedal Tractors FamilyLand 1:30 p.m.: Knights of the Realm, Arena 1:30 p.m.: Mom Newman’s Apple Pie, Expo 1:30 p.m.: Racing Pigs, FamilyLand 2 p.m.: Alex Zerbe, FamilyLand 2 p.m.: Adam the Great, Expo 2:30 p.m.: Pedal Tractors, FamilyLand 3 p.m.: Bush Pilots, MainStage 3 p.m.: Racing Pigs, FamilyLand 3:30 p.m.: 4-H Statics Awards Ceremony, Expo 3:30 p.m.: Adam the Great, FamilyLand 4 p.m.: Knights of the Realm, Arena 4 p.m.: Alex Zerbe, FamilyLand 4:30 p.m.: Patricia Kline, MainStage 4:30 p.m.: Pedal Tractors, FamilyLand 5 p.m.: Racing Pigs, FamilyLand

WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 2012, ALBANY DEMOCRAT-HERALD, CORVALLIS GAZETTE-TIMES

SAW

Local talent will share limelight with big acts BY JENNIFER MOODY

IF YOU GO

ALBANY DEMOCRAT-HERALD

Visitors to the 2012 Linn County Fair may be coming specifically to sing “Joy to the World” with Three Dog Night, “Take Me Home Tonight” with Eddie Money or “Some Girls Do” with Sawyer Brown. But organizers are hoping they’ll also enjoy seeing familiar faces on the main stage, in addition to the headliners. Joe Calderon, chairman of the Linn County Fair Board, said this year’s fair made it a point to seek out regional talent to provide a soundtrack for daily fair activities. It’s all part of bringing people back home to the fair — and every show, even the headliners, is free with fair admission. “One of the things I’ve noticed over the years is, during the days there are things to do, but it’s missing some entertainment, some sound,” Calderon said. “In my research at other fairs, I see a lot have regional acts playing throughout the day, every day. So I presented the idea and it was overwhelmingly accepted.” Bands and soloists from Albany, Lebanon, Sweet Home, Corvallis and Salem can be found on the schedule, along with folks with slightly looser mid-valley ties. Patricia “Patsy” Cline — and yes, that’s really her name — is among the hometown favorites. She’ll be taking the main stage at 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Cline, who married into the surname she shares with the famous country singer, taught school for 42 years, 20 of them in Lebanon and 13 for the Linn-Benton-Lincoln Education Service District. She sang in church choirs all her adult life, currently with Albany First Assembly of God. In 1996, she started singing jazz standards with her friend Richard Applegate, known as “Dick Blake” in jazz circles. She gave a two-hour performance of Patsy Cline’s country music with Applegate in the late 1990s in Corvallis, complete with a country band and a doo-wop group. For that performance, Applegate lined up her current lead guitarist, Jess Johnson of Salem, along with Neal Grandstaff of Eugene on bass and Mike Doran on the drums. Cline re-established connections with Johnson following Applegate’s death last year. He’s recruited other musicians from

All shows are free with fair admission. Reserved seating for headliner acts is $15. The schedule: THURSDAY, JULY 19

Marty Davis, Medford, country-western, 1, 3:30 and 5 p.m., main stage. Brady Goss, Wallowa, piano, pop and traditional crooners, 2 p.m. Family Land, 3 p.m., main stage, and 5 p.m., expo. The Catillacs, LaCenter, Wash., ’50s and ’60s rock, 4 p.m., main stage. Fate 55, Corvallis, classic rock, 6:30 p.m., main stage. Headliner: Three Dog Night, 8:30 p.m., main stage. FRIDAY, JULY 20

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The mid-valley’s own Patricia “Patsy” Cline will take the stage Sunday afternoon. the Salem area, including Roger Webster on bass and Randy Hill on drums. Joining Cline on stage will be her 8-yearold granddaughter, Alexis Stinnett, who also will perform several songs on her own. Cline has high praise for Calderon’s local-talent plan. “I think that is absolutely wonderful, because there are a lot of people who play in small venues and don’t get an opportunity to be showcased so a larger audience can see them,” she said. “I just am honored that he even asked me to do this. It will be an experience of a lifetime.” Vicki Stevens, who takes the main stage Friday just before headliner Eddie Money, is a former mid-valley resident. She grew up in Las Vegas and moved two years ago to Kent, Wash., but between 2004 and 2010 she lived in Junction City, Eugene and then Albany. “I grew up learning about the four seasons, but I didn’t experience them till I moved here,” she quipped. “Las Vegas has two: hot and cold.” The Vicki Stevens Band has been together since 2008, playing a mix of rock, blues and

Tristan Nichols, Sweet Home, country, 1 p.m., main stage, and 3 p.m., expo. Rock ’n’ Roll Cowboys, Salem, country, 2 p.m., main stage. Mind Spool, Lebanon, blues, 3 p.m., main stage. Brady Goss, Wallowa, piano, pop and traditional crooners, 4:30 p.m., main stage. Vicki Stevens Band, Kent, Wash., 6:30 p.m., main stage. Headliner: Eddie Money, 8:30 p.m., main stage.

EDDIE MONEY

SATURDAY, JULY 21

Brady Goss, Wallowa, piano, pop and traditional crooners, noon, expo, and 4 p.m., main stage. Cascade Rye, Albany, country, 3 p.m., main stage. Marty Davis, Medford, country-western, 3:30 p.m., expo, and 5 p.m., main stage. Jackson Michelson, Albany, country, 6:30 p.m., main stage. Headliner: Sawyer Brown, 8:30 p.m., main stage. SUNDAY, JULY 22

Bush Pilots, Albany, bluegrass, 3 p.m., main stage. Patricia Cline, Albany, country, 4:30 p.m. main stage. a little country, sometimes with a side of funk. Stevens said she’s looking forward to being back in the valley, and applauded Calderon for seeking out local entertainers. “Support the local fairs and the local music. There’s people working hard to bring this stuff to town,” she said. “Homegrown everything!”

The headline acts of the 2012 Linn County Fair are Sawyer crowd Friday; and Three Dog Night, whose Thursday show

ALBANY DEMOCRAT-HERALD, CORVALLIS GAZETTE-TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 2012

WYER BROWN

TEXACO COUNTRY SHOWDOWN Bands and soloists hoping to make it big in Nashville will compete Sunday at the Linn County Fair in the 2012 Texaco Country Showdown. Radio station KRKT 99.9 FM plays host to the show, which takes the main stage at 11 a.m. The winning group will perform Aug. 5 at the Oregon Jamboree in Sweet Home and will also show its stuff at the state finals, to be held Sept. 28 at the Mill Casino in Coos Bay. State winners go on to regional competition, and winners from there move up to nationals in Nashville, where a $100,000 cash prize is at stake. Tickets to the showdown are free with fair admission. KRKT will give away a pair of tickets to the Sunday shows at the Oregon Jamboree. An enter-to-win site will be on hand. KRKT held one round of auditions on June 8 and the semifinals were this past Sunday. Fifteen of the 20 competitors performing there will move up to the Linn County Fair. At the fair, each finalist will perform two songs for the judges and will be graded on marketability in country music, vocal ability, originality of performance, stage presence and talent.

THREE DOG NIGHT

Walk on the Wild Side will feature several big cats BY KYLE ODEGARD ALBANY DEMOCRAT-HERALD

The Linn County Fair as always will feature exciting rides, carnival games, food-on-a-stick, great music and farm animals — plus a few creatures of a different stripe, so to speak. A Walk on the Wild Side, a Canbybased exotic animal rescue facility, is bringing a tiger this year, as well as a black leopard, a lion and other big cats. Fair attendees can see the animals for free. “I think the tiger will be the big draw,” said Steve Higgs, executive director of the nonprofit. “Most of our cats, they are as interested in the public as the public is with them,” he added. The big cats and many other animals will be in enclosures that are made up of a high-quality cyclone-fence-style barrier, Higgs said. For $10, people can pet and get their picture taken with a 6-week-old lion cub.

Higgs said A Walk on the Wild Side goes to about 10 fairs a year from May through October. The goal is to educate people about how many animals are disappearing due to habitat loss, poaching and other factors. “We are really pushing conservation,” Higgs said. A Walk on the Wild Side steps in to help when an owner of an exotic animal can no longer care for that creature. “We have quite a few reptiles that have been brought from the Albany area,” Higgs said. One of the star reptiles at the fair this year will be a 200-pound tortoise that is probably 85 years old. “It takes two or three guys to move him,” Higgs laughed. Among the other critters will be servals, a bobcat, a coatimundi (a type of South American raccoon with a long nose), and an African crested porcupine. For more information, go to www.wildsideoregon.org.

THE 2012 CONTESTANTS:

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r Brown, taking the stage Saturday night; Eddie Money, who will rock the is in conjuction with the city of Albany’s River Rhythms concert series.

The J Swift Band (John Swift, Joel Swift, Jared Swift, Justin Swift and Michael McDonald) Levi Dover Jessie Easdale Cody Chasteen The James Girls (Sophia and Sabrina James) Alyona O’Hara Nadara Chesshir Mindi Clark Katie Satak Samantha Perez Trevor Tagle Nima Howe Bailey Heide Matthew Ryan Jeri James

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Steve Higgs, director of the nonprofit A Walk on the Wild Side, thinks the tiger will be the big draw of the animals the group is bringing to this year’s fair.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 2012, ALBANY DEMOCRAT-HERALD, CORVALLIS GAZETTE-TIMES

Racing pigs quick to return These fast-paced porkers are back for the second year in a row BY STEVE LATHROP ALBANY DEMOCRAT-HERALD

RAM RODEO The Ram Truck brand and the 2012 Ram Rodeo Series will make a pit stop at Calapooia Arena from July 19 through July 21, beginning at 6:30 each night. Thursday night will be barrel racing, Friday night will be bull riding and Saturday night will be a kids’ rodeo. Rodeo fans are invited to come down and saddle up with the cowboys to enjoy the legendary sport of rodeo and check out the newest Ram pickup trucks. Representatives from Mark Thomas Motors will be on site with 12 of the latest Ram vehicles on display. All guests who visit the Ram Rodeo trailer or tent will be eligible to enter the Ram Rodeo Sweepstakes, a national giveaway for a chance to win $45,000 toward any eligible Chrysler Group vehicle. To enter the national giveaway, you must be 18 or older and have a valid driver’s license. For more information on the Ram Rodeo Series, visit www.RamRodeo.com.

Bart Noll learned back in 1987 that for a pig, a chocolate chip cookie can offer incredible incentive. Today he’s still bribing his pint-sized porkers with the sweet treats and providing family entertainment across the West Coast at the same time. The Noll family travel to fairs, rodeos and other events showing off his favorite animal. His Alaskan Racing Pigs will display their athletic prowess and their smarts at the 2012 Linn County Fair for the second straight year. The speedy piglets will be in action for four shows every day. “They’re a crowdpleaser,” says Noll, who PROVIDED PHOTO began racing his young pigs Bart Noll’s Alaskan Racing Pigs are back for the 2012 Linn County Fair & Expo, with several performances scheduled daily. because he thought it would be fun and bring in a little time, running the courses “Then we turn them back money. “And they love the by the end of the first day. over to their owners.” chocolate chip cookies.” “It took my adult dog 10 Races cover a short 100It’s become a family busi- days to learn to do the same to 125-foot course, that at ness, with his wife and each things,” he said. “I’ve been times includes hurdles, and of his five children pitching working with pigs ever since.” pigs can rip through it acThe racers are all well celerating to 15 mph from a in at one time or another under a year old and learned standing start. The pigs over the last 25 years. quickly that per- represent a variety of “I was from a forming well meant breeds, according to Noll. mushing fam‘They’re a chocolate chip The Linn County stop is ily,” Noll said. crowd-pleaser. acookie. The treats one of 23 scheduled for the “Sled dogs were all I knew And they love are handed out for a Alaskan Racing Pigs this but I started chocolate chip good performance year. He typically brings at and Noll said the least eight pigs to each perhanging out cookies.’ pigs learned to formance and a minimum of with farmers form racing strate- four compete in each race. after college BART NOLL gies to do well and There are up to four races and they kept get more treats. in each performance plus a telling me how Noll’s pigs come mostly bonus competition for kids smart pigs were.” Noll found out the farmers from Oregon farmers. He 4 to 12 who can sign up were right. He began train- moved from his native Fair- prior to each performance ing pigs to run through the banks to Washington and to battle in a Peddle Pullers short oval- and horseshoe- then eventually to Eugene, competition. Riding modified peddle tractors, the Pigs aren’t known for being picky eaters, but Noll has found these little guys to be especially motishaped tracks and they took where he is now based. “A typical racing career is kids pull weighted sleds vated by chocolate chip cookies. They learned to run the course in just a day, much quicker than his to it right away. He had the adult dog. “I’ve been working with pigs ever since,” he said. pigs, only 6 weeks old at the far less than a year,” he said. over a short course.

ALBANY DEMOCRAT-HERALD, CORVALLIS GAZETTE-TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 2012

Scio girl, 16, restores tractor The front emblem of Kellsie’s restored tractor.

Kellsie Tharp’s 1956 Ford 800 will be on display throughout the Linn County Fair BY ALEX PAUL ALBANY DEMOCRAT-HERALD

SCIO — Kellsie Tharp hasn’t tallied up every penny she and her father, Grimm, spent restoring her bright red and gray 1956 Ford 800 tractor, but she can tell you how many hours it took. “At least 500,” the 16year-old incoming Scio High School junior said. “And most of that was spent wire brushing parts.” Her dad — a mechanic at Gardner Trucking — paid $1,200 for it at an auction in November. “But it didn’t look like this. It was in rough condition,” Kellsie said. “It was rusted and beaten up. There were dents and holes in it. It was in pretty bad shape.” The tractor had been turned on its side at one point. But Kellsie saw the heap’s potential and talked her dad into turning it into her senior project. The restored antique tractor will be one of many on display throughout the 2012 Linn County Fair. The Tharps live on about 13 acres south of Scio. The family enjoys showing horses and put up several tons of hay each summer. They own several tractors, but this is the first one they rebuilt from the ground up. The tractor went into the family garage and parts started flying off.

DAVID PATTON/DEMOCRAT-HERALD

Kellsie Tharp, 16, of Scio restored this 1956 Ford 800 tractor with help from her father, Grimm, a mechanic at Gardner Trucking. Although its 4-cylinder engine started, it ran poorly and when the key was turned off, “it went boom” Kellsie said of its bad exhaust backfire. Tracking down parts took a lot of time, Kellsie said. The tractor’s fenders were so badly decomposed they had to be replaced.

Kellsie’s mom, Lorrie, said that for several months, the daily mail delivery could range from a letter to a huge package of parts. Kellsie said wire brushing pieces “was fun for a little while,” but that quickly wore off. Although restored to nearly original condition, the

Tharps made some modifications for comfort such as a padded seat instead of allmetal unit. They also moved the exhaust pipe from releasing below the tractor to one that goes above the hood to prevent hay field fires. Once the mechanicals had been rebuilt and old paint removed down to

sheet metal, it was time for Kellsie to pick up a paint gun and put some color back on her tractor. She had never operated a professional-grade paint sprayer before, but the finished gray and red paint is bright and shiny with no runs. “The original gray paint

had a tint of green and brown and I didn’t like that,” Kellsie said. “It looked dirty to me, so we painted it a lighter shade of gray.” The project was completed in time for the tractor show at the annual Scio Lamb and Wool Fair. “We were putting the last bits of touch-up paint on it the night before the show,” Kellsie said. Kellsie is excited about the upcoming Linn County Fair tractor show. “We waited several weeks after painting and we have now waxed it,” Kellsie said. The most fun, though, is driving the nearly 60-yearold tractor. “It’s not like today’s tractors,” Kellsie said. “You have to turn the key and then push a button to start it.” A new Ford 800 cost about $2,200 in 1956 and had 40 horsepower. Kellsie believes it’s worth about $8,000 today. She believes she is the only member of her class to restore a tractor as a senior project, although the FFA is restoring one as a group. At school, Kellsie is a member of the volleyball and track teams, and of the Clever Clovers 4-H club. After high school she would like to attend the Art Institute of Portland to learn about design. “I know how to bake cakes. I want to learn how to design them,” Kellsie said.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 2012, ALBANY DEMOCRAT-HERALD, CORVALLIS GAZETTE-TIMES

4-H/FFA Fair schedule Wednesday, July 18

MARK YLEN/DEMOCRAT-HERALD

Zack Fergason of Scio rests his head on Ginger, a Jersey hereford, while Kalli Corrick of Albany nestles against Plum at the 2011 Linn County Fair. This year’s fair will again feature the hard work of local youth and the animals they’ve raised.

Costume contest to feature 4-H members — and animals BY CATHY INGALLS ALBANY DEMOCRAT-HERALD

4-Hers taking part in this year’s Linn County Fair can dress up their animals for a costume contest, enter large animal showmanship competitions and chug down cartons of milk in an event sponsored by the Oregon Dairy Wives. Robin Galloway, the Oregon State University Extension Linn County 4-H agent, said she is particularly looking forward to the animal dress-up. “It’s fun to see the creativity of the kids and see how patient the animals are when wearing their strange outfits,” she said. “Half of the fun is seeing the expressions on the animals as they try to get used to their funny skirts or having something wrapped around their middles.” It’s always interesting, Galloway said, when the kids dress in costumes similar to their animals. She particularly remembers after 9/11 when many of the kids donned firefighter gear and put their dogs in rescue attire complete with booties on their feet. Any 4-H member can enter the costume contest with any type of animal or bird. Staff will take photographs of the costumes throughout the running of the fair. They will be posted at the 4-H office, which is in a trailer parked between the horse and livestock barns. There will be a ballot box at the office so fairgoers can vote for their favorite costume duo. Categories include best use of this year’s

theme, “Country Pride County Wide;” most creative; best coordination of a person and an animal; and the peoples’ choice. Awards will be presented Sunday morning. Each entrant in the large animal master showmanship class must show a variety of critters, such as sheep, a dairy cow, a horse and a pygmy goat. “All of them show differently,” Galloway said. The competition requires entrants to remain poised and demonstrate how much they know about an animal “such as how much a dairy cow drinks in a day,” she said. That competition takes place Sunday morning. There also is a small animal master showmanship contest that includes poultry, rabbits and cavies. The challenge there is to keep the animals on the exhibit table and not let them jump off, Galloway said. That competition is Saturday morning. The Milk Chug A Lug contest is at 1 p.m. Friday. 4-H clubs will enter as teams. Members have to run from one place to another in the dairy and beef ring and then down a carton of milk. “They get it all over themselves and all over the ground. It’s fun,” she said. This year’s 4-H photography contest is going to have a record number of entries, Galloway said. That’s because so many kids these days have digital cameras. Also on tap are horse events, and the livestock auction, which starts at 3 p.m. Saturday.

7:45 a.m.: 4-H/FFA Livestock Exhibitors Meeting, swine ring 7:45 a.m.: 4-H/FFA Horse – Mickey Zucker Award Meeting 8:30 a.m.: Small Animal Participants Meeting 8:30 a.m.: 4-H/FFA Horse — Judges meeting (Dressage Riders bring bits) 9 a.m.: 4-H/FFA Market Sheep classes, sheep ring 9 a.m.: 4-H/FFA Market Rabbit classes 9:30 a.m.: 4-H/FFA Market Poultry 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Horse — English Equitation 10 a.m.: 4-H/FFA Poultry breeds, Santiam Building 12:30 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Horse – Fun Games 1 to 3:30 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Horse — Dressage 2 p.m.: 4-H Honey Bunny Quiz, Rabbit and Cavy ID, Santiam Building 2 p.m.: 4-H Cat classes 2 p.m.: 4-H Cavy Quiz contest, Santiam Building 2 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Meat Goat Showmanship, goat ring, followed by 4-H/FFA Market Goat classes, goat ring, followed by 4-H/FFA Meat Doe classes, goat ring 3 to 5 p.m.: All 4-H Horticulture entries in place; judging follows 4 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Horse Grand Entry, Calapooia Arena 4 p.m.: 4-H Farm Olympics Event 5 to 6 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Horse Awards Ceremony 5 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Swine Market classes, swine ring 7 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Beef Market classes, beef/dairy ring 8 to 11 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Youth Dance, Calapooia Arena

Thursday, July 19 7 a.m.: 4-H/FFA Horse — Gaming Horses in place 7 to 7:30 a.m.: 4-H/FFA

Horse – Gaming Showmanship (one time gaming horses) 7:45 a.m.: 4-H/FFA Livestock Exhibitors Meeting, swine ring 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.: 4-H/ FFA Horse – Gaming (poles, key race, flags, figure 8, barrel) 9 a.m.: 4-H/FFA Sheep breeds, sheep ring 9 a.m.: 4-H/FFA Rabbit/Cavy Showmanship, Santiam Building 2 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Dairy Cattle Breed classes, beef/dairy ring 1 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Poultry Showmanship 3 p.m.: All 4-H/FFA Horses released (except Master Showmanship Horses) 3 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Beef breeds, beef/dairy ring 4:30 p.m.: 4-H Farm Olympics Event 4:30 to 7 p.m.: 4-H Favorite Foods Contest, static area in Willamette Events Center) 5 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Swine Breeds, swine ring 6 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Sheep Showmanship, sheep/goat ring

Friday, July 20 7:45 a.m.: 4-H/FFA Livestock Exhibitors Meeting, swine ring 9 a.m.: 4-H/FFA Dairy, Pygmy Goat Showmanship, goat ring, followed by 4-H/FFA Dairy, Pygmy Goat Breed classes, goat ring 9 a.m.: 4-H/FFA Cavy/Rabbit Breed classes, Santiam Building 10:30 a.m.: 4-H/FFA Livestock Judging Contest (beef, dairy, sheep, swine) Noon: 4-H/FFA Dairy Showmanship, beef/dairy ring, with open Dairy Breeds following 1 p.m.: Milk Chug-a-Lug Contest 2 p.m.: 4-H Poultry Quizzes – Quill Quiz and Feather Facts 2 p.m.: 4-H Farm Olympics Event 3 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Beef Showmanship, beef/dairy ring

4 p.m.: 4-H Swine Showmanship all divisions, swine ring 6 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Pack Goat Classes, goat ring

Saturday, July 21 7:45 a.m.: 4-H/FFA Exhibitors Meeting, swine ring 8 a.m.: Open Class Goats, goat ring 9 a.m.: Open Beef, beef/dairy ring 9 a.m.: 4/H/FFA Branding of Market Auction animals (all youth selling market animals need to be near their market animal) 10 a.m.: 4-H/FFA Small Animal Master showmanship, Santiam Building 11 a.m.: 4-H Interviews for Sara Adams and Start a Herd Awards 11 a.m.: Open Sheep, sheep ring 2 p.m.: 4-H Farm Olympics Animal Costume Contest (barnwide event) 2:30 p.m.: Pre-4-H Small Animal Showmanship (rabbit, cavy, poultry) 3 p.m.: Pocket Pets 3 p.m.: Annual 4-H/FFA Market Livestock Auction 6 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Auction Buyer’s Barbecue

Sunday, July 22 8 a.m.: 4-H/FFA Large Animal Master Showmanship, participants meet in the Calapooia Arena 8:30 a.m.: 4-H/FFA Large Animal Master Showmanship begins, followed by Tug-of-War contest, followed by 4-H/FFA Awards Ceremony (locations to be announced) 1 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Small Animal Awards Ceremony, Santiam Building 5:30 p.m.: 4-H Statics Awards Ceremony, Expo Building 6 p.m.: 4-H/FFA nonmarket large animals released 6 p.m.: 4-H/FFA nonmarket small animals released