Animals, Exhibits, and Activities await you at the fair

MT. PLEASANT — Animals, exhibits, and people moved into the Henry County Fair grounds Tuesday in preparation for a busy week.

Fair is an opportunity for locals to show off their skills, and Henry County Fair has not wasted a minute letting them do that.

Sunday, the horse show kicked things off prior to the official start date.

Horse Show Winners

Exhibits were already put on display and those advancing to the state fair were selected.

While fourth-grader exhibit participants put a lot of work into their projects, they are not qualified to be selected for state.

Henry County Fair still selects projects from the fourth grade participants and awards gold ribbons to the most outstanding projects.

“It is like saying, if you could, this would go to state,” Iowa State University Extension Office Youth Program Assistant Sadie Martin said.

The rest of the fair was filling in Tuesday afternoon as goats and sheep were weighed in and set up with bedding, water, and food in their stalls, rabbits got cozy in cages, and other livestock were set up for the week.

A few young fair participants shared their experiences, expectations, and livestock snuggles.

Junior Grand Champion for horse and Rider, Zenlynn Lee shared that she has been showing at the fair since she was in first grade and she is now entering into ninth.

Other categories Zenlynn participates in include cows, sheep, goats, and most recently, rabbits.

Zenlynn was happy to show off her Mini Rex breed rabbits and introduce them by name.

She is most excited for, “showing and hanging out with friends,” this fair season.

Only a short walk away from the tiny rabbits and poultry, Gust Anderson prepped his first bottle calf, Memphis.

“I hope she doesn’t escape,” Gust said was his greatest goal for the week. “She always escapes at home.”

While this is Gust’s first year showing a bottle calf, he certainly appeared right at home.

Unbothered by the presence of others Memphis took to relieving herself, and Gust did not miss a beat.

“OK, gotta go get the scoop,” he said rather matter-of-fact and ran out.

Right next to Gust Lincoln Garvey prepared for his second time showing a bottle calf.

“I love coming to fair and meeting all the other cows and showing them,” Lincoln said.

Further into the fair grounds, goats and sheep can be heard bleating away in a different shed.

Montana Cone had a large grin plastered across her face as she helped her goats settle into their pins for the week.

This will be Montana’s second year to show goats, however, she has shown rabbits since 2018.

Last year Montana was able to nab Grand Champion with her goat and bunny.

“I really enjoy just showing the animals and experiencing it,” she said. “I’ve made a lot of friends with people that are supposed to be my competition.”

Keeping with the overall welcoming vibe of the county fair, Montana, Gust, Lincoln, and Zenlynn were more than happy to share their knowledge about their animals, and their care for them was readily apparent.

Friday will host the swine show at 8 a.m. and poultry show at 2 p.m. during the day.

The evening events will consist of Clover Kids graduation ceremony at 5 p.m., Mud Volley ball at 5:30 p.m., and IFPA Truck and Tractor Pull at the grandstand at 6:30 p.m.

The exhibits are set, the animals are in, and the activities are waiting for all to enjoy this week at the Henry County Fair.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com