Kamryn Kerns, 12, blow dries her goat that she will show at the Lawrence County Fair on Monday, July 7, 2025.
Youth in 4-H from across the region will show off their livestock at the Lawrence County Fair in Proctorville, Ohio, this week.
BOTH PHOTOS: Youth from across the region will show their livestock at the Lawrence County Fair in Proctorville, Ohio, this week.
Erin Sarver, 21, walks her lamb to a pen where it stays until she has to do some more work with it on Monday, July 7.
PROCTORVILLE, Ohio ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” Kamryn Kerns was too busy to talk Monday. It was a few hours before the goat show at the Lawrence County Fair, and the 12-year-old was blow-drying her goat to make sure it looked just right.
County fairs are serious business for youngsters who spend their summers getting their goats, sheep, pigs, cattle, chickens and other farm animals ready for judging.
Drew Schmidt, who has been working at the fair for several years, said the youth who participate work for months to get themselves and their animals ready for shows, and some of them travel across the region to participate.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe have some really good kids in our program that take it very seriously and prepare for shows far in advance,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Schmidt said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe have what we call a quality show, where animals are judged based on the quality they are for what is market-ready and a consumer would want to buy in store. We also have showmanship, which is judging the child, also called the exhibitor, on their ability and how hard theyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve worked and studied to perfect their craft in the ring with their species of animals.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
During shows, participants can compete in one of several categories, which are divided on the kind and weight of the animals they show. Goats, lambs, pigs and cattle are the most common livestock shown, and some are easier to handle than others, Schmidt said.
Isabelle Sarver, whose family has been showing livestock her entire life, said she had a difficult time showing some animals.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œBecause IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m so small, I switched animals several times growing up because sometimes they were so difficult due to their size,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Sarver said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œMy two brothers are both showing this year, and they are much stronger and are able to handle the larger animals.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Throughout the week, participants will be showing their animals in several arenas at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds. Schmidt said that in the past year, almost every facility has been upgraded to prepare for this yearÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s fair.
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