Camera Critters-Saturday and Sunday: MN State Fair

The Birthing Center and the Swine Barn are favorite stops. According to the paper, fairgoers were avoiding the swine barn because of swine flu!! Amazing how misinformation gets around. The biggest sow is always something to see. Had to laugh when I learned that a hog was named Brett Favre. If you are an American football fan and have followed his career, you'll understand the humour...especially since joining the Vikings after 16 years with its archrival, the Green Bay Packers. The hog's owner must have been a Packer fan!

Competition

When we go to the State Fair, we visit all the animal areas: sheep, horses, swine, livestock, the Birthing Barn and Pet Center. We saw the birth of a calf, an animal being neutered in the Veterinary Medicine Center, and dog obedience demonstrations. Watching the competition and the judging of livestock was a fascinating experience. I was unable to understand the speaker because of the acoustics in the large Coliseum where this took place, so I cannot tell you who won the round of competition depicted in the photo. The animals' owners were of all ages and each took pains to present their animal in the best way possible. Yesterday's photos (take a peek--you won't be sorry!) will give you a glimpse into some of the behind-the-scenes preparation.

State Fair "Oddities"

At the risk of offending some viewers with greater sensitivity than I, I decided to post these photos because they demonstate an important aspect of the Minnesota State Fair: livestock competition!


In order to present their animals in the best way possible, some interesting steps are taken. In the small photo it's difficult to see the process, but the man is shaving the cow's udder. Only he, the other contestants, and the judges will understand why. The reason escapes me! The large photo shows a responsible owner making sure that the area of competition is kept clean (notice the pan he's holding and the content?) plus he needs to keep his animal in tip-top shape for the judging. The reason for this action does not escape me!

The two little girls we took to the Fair, ages 7 & 8, were very respectful, did not giggle, but were fascinated with the whole process. More photos in the next few days. Stay tuned!