‘Ready for the show’: 4-H teaches youngsters about hard work at county fair
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Olivia Funson of Unityville tends to her steer while doing evening chores at the Lycoming County Fair on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Funson, a member of the Country Roads 4-H Club, entered four project animals at the Fair which will be sold at auction on Friday.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent A plate full of pizza pretzels is carried by fair volunteer Wes Snyder as he heads for his dinner break at the Lycoming County Fair on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Many local service organizations traditionally offer their version of fair cuisine in the booths under the grandstand.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Ruth Lauchle and Seth Varner guide their 4-H project animals around the rink during the swine show at the Lycoming County Fair on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Seth Varner guides his 4-H project animal around the rink during the swine show at the Lycoming County Fair on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Olivia Funson of Unityville tends to her steer while doing evening chores at the Lycoming County Fair on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Funson, a member of the Country Roads 4-H Club, entered four project animals at the Fair which will be sold at auction on Friday.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Olivia Funson of Unityville tends to her steer while doing evening chores at the Lycoming County Fair on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Funson, a member of the Country Roads 4-H Club, entered four project animals at the Fair which will be sold at auction on Friday.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Olivia Funson of Unityville tends to her steer while doing evening chores at the Lycoming County Fair on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Funson, a member of the Country Roads 4-H Club, entered four project animals at the Fair which will be sold at auction on Friday.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent A plate full of pizza pretzels is carried by fair volunteer Wes Snyder as he heads for his dinner break at the Lycoming County Fair on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Many local service organizations traditionally offer their version of fair cuisine in the booths under the grandstand.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Ruth Lauchle and Seth Varner guide their 4-H project animals around the rink during the swine show at the Lycoming County Fair on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Seth Varner guides his 4-H project animal around the rink during the swine show at the Lycoming County Fair on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Olivia Funson of Unityville tends to her steer while doing evening chores at the Lycoming County Fair on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Funson, a member of the Country Roads 4-H Club, entered four project animals at the Fair which will be sold at auction on Friday.
RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Olivia Funson of Unityville tends to her steer while doing evening chores at the Lycoming County Fair on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Funson, a member of the Country Roads 4-H Club, entered four project animals at the Fair which will be sold at auction on Friday.
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It's hard work but fun and educational for the 4-H Clubs at the 153rd annual Lycoming County Fair in Hughesville.
From feeding throngs of hungry fairgoers at the food stand, to tending to cows, swine, rabbits, horses, goats and sheep, and keeping the animal stalls and barns clean and animals fed and watered, it is non-stop action, including preparing for the shows, where the youngsters can earn Grand Champion honors in various categories.
On Tuesday night, Olivia Funson, 12, of Unityville, a member of the Back Country Roads 4-H, showed her prowess around two breeding heifers and two steers
She spread hay down as a short horn joined a white Charolais and an Angus steer and Charolais Angus cross steer all gobbled it up before they were watered and turned in for the evening.
"We'll tuck them in for the night and tomorrow we're going to clean the stalls, feed them their breakfast and start it all over again," said Katja Funson, Olivia's mother. "We will walk them, exercise them and make sure they are ready for the show on Friday morning."
4-H Clubs are very family and community supported. The club meets at the Unityville Volunteer Fire Co.
"They allow us to meet once a month in one of their buildings," Katja said.
At an earlier show, the Funsons had two of their animals place as Grand Champions.
The short horn and Charolais placed as Grand Champions in their breeder categories.
At home, the animals are not tied up and roam in their pens. The breeders are together, and the others are buddied up.
About 10 weeks before the fair efforts are taken to get them used to the noise. "We start playing radios," Katja said. "We increase tying them up. They get used to being tied up all day."
On Tuesday, a large crowd gathered to watch the swine show. The handlers used "pig whips" to direct the show animals to where they wanted them to walk in the show arena and judges were looking for the best on display.
Don't miss the array of farm animals at the many barns filled with the sounds and sights of goats, sheep, cows, and horses along with rabbits.
The fair continues today and runs through Saturday.