Snow White At Dusk

Wild Rose Farm - Snow White & Ewes

We had finished working with the ewes as it was starting to get dark.  Snow White & the flock are waiting for us to open the gate and let them go ... the weather is cooling down and the ewes are starting to butt heads.
Here's a pet peeve of mine.  I see these slow moving vehicle reflectors hanging all over the place where they don't belong & folks become oblivious to their safety significance.  We spotted this caution at the Big Knob Fair in the antique tractor and steam show area:

Proper Use of Slow Moving Vehicle Signs!

Fair Season Recap!

Canfield Fair - Orchard Displays

Now that the local fair season wrapped up, here are a bunch of random pictures of the season. Thanks always to the folks who take the time to bring their animals, produce, crafts, & baked goods to the fairs!

Yarn Ball Wreath - Big Knob Fair

How about this interesting wreath for my fiber friends... and perhaps some inspiration!

Canfield Fair - Lovely Horned Dorset Ewe!

Canfield Fair - Bold Horned Dorset Ram

It's nice to see a big variety of sheep in the Canfield Fair sheep barns!

Merino Rams At The Canfield Fair

Tunis Ewe Lamb Waits For The Canfield Fair Show

This year, despite the drought in the tri-state area, the largest "pumpkins" weighed in at almost 1,300#.  Of course these giants grow in secret locations on pallets, under canopies, and with double top secret special feedings, lol! 

Grand Champion 1283# & Reserve Grand Champion 1273.5# !!!

How about this idea for an old, unused sewing machine? Where do people get these ideas?!?

Not Even Sure What The Category Is For This Entry! :)

Finally, from the Hay & Grain Building comes the largest ear of field corn. Someone had to COUNT all 1144 kernels on this ear (plus the other closest entries!). Thanks to the folks who do the preparation and judging for all of us to enjoy! 

Enlarge To Count 1144 Kernels!  :)

You've Been Given Fair Warning!

"Fair Warning" Sign!

This is our 3rd county fair in two weeks and we've seen all of the signs on the livestock displays.
Rabbits bite - keep hands out of cages.  Chickens peck - keep hands out of cages.  Horses & ponies - some bite, some don't want their ears touched ... you get the picture.  Just common sense, but if you don't know animals, sometimes not so common!   :~0
This sign was on a nice display pen of horned Shetland sheep and we were amused.  Turns out that the lady who owns the sheep also trains her Standard Schnauzers to herd sheep.  Interesting!

Big Knob Fair - Shetland Sheep

Then it was on to our 4th fair today ... the big Canfield Fair in Ohio.  More sheep ...

Canfield Fair - Preparing To Show Horned Dorset Rams

The judge was making a point in this Suffolk ram class pictures below- note the 1st place ram on the left is younger & shorter in stature in this class, but he was more structurally correct, heavier muscled, etc.  There's a bone of contention when the discussion comes up on the difference between what are referred to as "show" sheep and "production style" sheep.  We see the judges go both ways and, in fact, the larger framed Suffolk ewes came out on top in their classes.  The judges weigh all aspects of the sheep and make their decisions ...

Canfield Fair - Suffolk Ram Class

After the sheep, it was off to the Largest Squash display, which we faithfully document each year!

Canfield Fair 2014 - Largest Squash 1,124#

 A final note ... look above the 2014 Canfield Fair Grandstand Sign Board.  WPA - 1936.  I'd forgotten about that.  Are there WPA or CCC projects in your town? 

2014 Canfield Fair Grandstand

2011 Fair Wrap-up

2011 Hookstown Fair

Wild Rose Farm got in a couple of fairs this summer.  The Hookstown Fair had great weather & we got some good pictures of the 4-H kids showing market lambs.  What was the new catch phrase this year from the judge?  As readers know, we're alert to new trends in livestock judging and the show ring this year did not disappoint!  In separating a 1st place lamb from the 2nd place lamb, the judge indicated that "my second place lamb would have had to have been a couple of clicks better to win the show tonight" over the first place lamb.  Love it! 

Good Sportsmanship - One Click Better!

We got shut out of the bidding on the market poultry pens at Hookstown - prices went way up - so we ended up at the Big Knob Fair the following week.  We successfully bid on a market hog that we are splitting with friends.  It's a great opportunity to support the 4-H youth who work hard on all of their projects.
Our final shot is from the Canfield Fair.  It was really hot on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, so we got there early and were leaving by 1PM.  Whew .......
The Largest Squash contest is always impressive, but if you look, the weight was down this year.

2011 Canfield Fair - Grand Champion Largest Squash!