Editor's note: This story was produced for the ear and designed to be heard. If you're able, WCMU encourages you to listen to the audio version of this story by clicking the LISTEN button above. This transcript was edited for clarity and length.
Tina Sawyer: The Isabella County Fair opened its doors this week for 200 kids to compete in livestock and animal competitions. Kids say this competition helps them express love for their animals and kindness towards each other all in the spirit of good competition. WCMU’s Masha Smahliuk spoke with some of the participants and brings us an audio postcard full of sounds from the fair.
Haley Pestel: My name is Haley Pestel, and I'm part of the Westies First Bridge Club, and I'm ten years old. I have a rabbit that is a buck and his name is Oreo. It was very cool because I never thought I'd win because this is my first year and a lot of them have showed before.
Francesca Ervin: I'm Francesca Ervin. I have my pigs. I have one at the fair this year, Hot Ham Sandwich. All my family is part of 4H and I've had some friends do the ambassador program for a couple of years. So I was like, I think this is something I want to try.
Kenzie Karcher: “I'm Kenzie Karcher. I am 16 years old, and my birthday is tomorrow, so I'm gonna be 17. I have been involved in the Isabella County Fair for over 11 years now.
I have two animals at the fair. Currently I have my goats. My goat's name is Juniper and he is a boar, and then I have a lamb down at the lamb barn and his name is Vegas. I've already shown at one county fair and I did pretty well there. I'm really excited, but there's a lot of really good competition here, so it's going to be very interesting to see.
It's really important to me. I really enjoy the opportunity to be able to have animals and work with animals and bring them to my County Fair. My cousin said 4H and they've really pushed me and encouraged me to continue.
Jaylin Bradbury: My name is Jaylin Bradbury. I work very hard with my animals. I love them very much. I used to show goats as well and dairy feeders. So I have Frankie. He's a dairy feeder. We got sixth, or seventh [place]. He actually broke my foot. So yeah, it took a lot of work. He we had to walk him every day and he was a lot of work.
Harley Lattimer: I'm Harley Lattimer. I have a beef steer and a heifer, Mac and Sally. I feed them in the morning. I rinse them at least once a day and then blow dry them and put them back in their pen and put pants on them.
Kyle Croll: My name is Kyle Croll. Today is my birthday, so I'm 14. I have two beef steers, one is named Mowgli, and one is named King. It's nice to help out and just give kindness. You give kindness, you get kindness back and you, it's a respectful thing to do. Just help out people. Get the animals ready if they need help setting up working them.
Tina Sawyer: Some other animals presented at the Isabella County Fair were dogs, chickens and horses. Organizers say the fair offers several programs for kids such as 4H and Royal Ambassadors, which helps them build leadership skills and a sense of responsibility. The fair will take place through this Saturday, July 26.
