(Cathy Miller takes you out to the Warren County Farmers’ Fair this week and a couple of very talented young people – and goats)

By Cathy Miller

After a year off due to Covid-19, the 83rd annual Warren County Farmers’ Fair is back with all the traditional favorites and a few new competitions demonstrations. There’s the long-standing Demolition Derby, 4-Wheel Drive Truck Pull, a Rodeo, and Chuck Winch, a strolling banjo player. In between, one can expect to enjoy all the fair food you could possibly want and get your scream on with all the flashy carnival rides. Marking the 21st Hot Air Balloon Festival in Warren County, there’s plenty of hot air balloon activity in the adjoining field, starting around 6:30 pm.

The 4-H/FFA Goat Show was great entertainment, with various breeds of goats announcing themselves in all manner of vocalizations!

Judging was done by Zach Gihorski, from Virginia. As a licensed judge, he also works state shows. Judging the showmanship competition, he gauges how “well-dressed” the goat is, looking for the “best-fitted,” and how well the handler works with it. In showmanship, the goats are not judged so much on their form, but rather if their hooves are trimmed, how their coat looks, if their eyes, ears, and tails are clean. The handler also needs to know general goat anatomy and correctly answer some related questions.

Kimberly Kolibas, 18, from Belvidere (photo above), won First Place in the Senior Showmanship class with her Nigerian Dwarf goat. She’s been showing her goats for ten years through 4-H and FFA at Belvidere High School. In preparation for the show, she grooms her goats and practices walking with them. The female dairy goats are milked so they produce more milk for a full udder.

Austin Smith, 8, from Stewartsville (pictured below), has been involved with 4-H for four years. Earlier this week he showed his two month old Alpine in the Showmanship class and received a Cloverbud ribbon. The Cloverbud Program was established for children in kindergarten through third grade. As a non-competitive program, there is no judging or evaluation, rather it focuses on participation. Austin also shows cows, chickens and rabbits.

For more information about the Farmers’ Fair, which runs through August 7, visit www.warrencountyfarmersfair.org.