The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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August 26, 2008

Garfield County Fair is set to run Sept. 3-6

By Robert Barron, Staff Writer

Getting livestock to the annual Garfield County Fair has been a little harder for 4-H youths this year.

The fair starts Sept. 3 and will continue through Sept. 6, and fair officials say the usual line of events are scheduled at Chisholm Trail Expo Center.

Jeff Bedwell, Oklahoma Coopera-tive Extension Service ag educator, said this year’s livestock exhibitors are dedicated because expenses are higher this year than they have been in the past.

“The costs of producing the animals is more expensive with fuel and all other costs higher this year. It’s just like everything else this year,” he said.

Bedwell expects about 50 cattle entries, 170-180 hogs, 70-80 sheep and 70-80 goats. He said the animals are in good shape, and the kids have done a good job.

“The weather this year has been somewhat cooler than last year and hasn’t impacted the animals as much,” he said.

The swine show will begin 8 a.m. Sept. 5. The cattle show will start the morning of Sept. 6 with heifers and the sheep show will begin about noon, followed by goats.

The premium auction is 6 p.m. Sept. 8.

“The show involves kids from all over the county, as well as here in Enid,” Bedwell said.

Julie Shaw, of the Expo Center, said the open exhibits must be in place by 5 p.m. Sept. 3. Entry deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday.

This year exhibits will include photography, flowers and food items, and judges hope to have all ribbons in place by Sept. 4.

There also will be a table decorating contest, with a theme that must match the menu for the meal.

The Farmer for a Day exhibit will allow children to see live animals and milk a pretend cow, while they learn about farming.

Other entries in-clude bread baking and a pie contest. There is no registration for those contests, and entrants may just bring their items in before the contest. Also this year is a chocolate dessert contest. All contests will be Sept. 4.

A pie baking contest will be judged Sept. 5. Pies must be in by 10 a.m., and judging will begin at 10:30 a.m.

The Oklahoma Wheatheart bread baking contest will be Sept. 6, and entries must be in by 1 p.m., with judging starting at 1:30 p.m. There are two age groups, junior for ages up to 17, and seniors, from 17 up.

All fair items will be released between 4:30 and 6 p.m. Sept. 6.

Shaw said there were 723 exhibitors last year showing 3,736 entries. She expects at least the same number this year.

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