By CATHERINE ELLERTON
Moapa Valley Progress
Two weeks to go – but who’s counting? One can feel the anticipation and energy vibrating in the air at the Clark County Fairgrounds in Logandale as they gear up for the Fair and Rodeo which open on April 10. Everywhere you look tent buildings are being set up, pens are being arranged, grounds are being cleaned, animals are being groomed and trained and book-work is piling high.
I chanced upon a handsome young man, with a shock of red hair, huge sparkling dark eyesas he joined with his best friend, 12 year old Ryan McMurray of Logandale, in preparing for the fair. His name is Sia – which, Ryan explained, in Japanese means Rhino.
“Rhino?” I questioned. “For such a cute little guy?”
Ryan continued on that the Abyssinian Guinea Pigs have heavy hair on their face which reminds one of the animal in question.
There is much more than feeding, watering and petting these sweet creatures when preparing them for the fair, Ryan explained. He demonstrated how he and Sia were working together to be the best they could be for the Showmanship class. He said he would have to be knowledgeable of the species in order to answer questions from the judges, have to show the body frame sitting up or spreading out the rear or front legs and be flipped over on their back to which Sia “wheeked’ his disapproval. Ryan and Sia are members of the Kidz and Ewe 4-H Club.
Sia, of the rodent family, will join other small animals showing in the Ag Building (previously known as the Small Animal Barn). There will be rabbits, caged birds and reptiles to include ducks, geese, game birds, chickens, snakes, lizards and horned toads.
Don’t have an animal to show? Next year, try creating a recycled container garden to enter.
And yet, this is only a small part of the many activities that happen in the Ag Building under the supervision of Kaluna and Jenifer Aki. Kaluna quickly emphasized that it was due to the many volunteers that the ambitious schedule would take place.
Included in the many exhibits in this building there will be a Nevada and Clark County Farm Bureau Booth; pigs and piglets will be on display in the RC Farms exhibit; The Nevada Dairy Council will be offering a Butter Carving Contest to the public; and the Nevada Beef Council Booth will be conducting a Nevada Beef Ambassador Contest.
In addition to the small animal showmanship there will be various 4-H demonstrations, a Goat Milking Demonstration, Chicken Bingo for the adventurous, a Cupcake Decorating Contest and an Animal Fashion Show.
In addition Aki stated there would be some new varieties of animals shown and around the outside of the building would be an old tractor exhibit. Plus, there will be a special robotics in agriculture exhibit.
As I took my leave, Sia ‘purred’ a challenge to other small animals to join him in the fun, especially of creating an imaginative costume for the Fashion Show. He reminds all that they must be registered before April 1. Applications can be picked up locally at the Home Hardware store in Overton or online at www.ccfair.com.
