Keeping County Fairs Fresh and New
Published July 20th, 2006
Dane County Fair organizers are working hard to make the fair stand out among Madison’s many events. The trouble: making old traditions seem new again.
One problem is that there are fewer farms taking part in some of the projects. Overall, the number of exhibits is up by 500 entries, but Dane County’s farming community has had to get creative to keep kids interested.
Jessica Trainor hasn’t had years of experience growing up on a farm, but she still knows how to show horses.
“I like to mainly do country stuff, but I live in the city and I only have a dog so I don’t get to have any farm animals at home,” says Trainor.
Jessica is in the ‘horseless’ horse program, which provides kids and teens who otherwise might not get the chance animals to groom, ride and compete with. Still, Jessica says she would like some more competition.
“I’ve been for the last two years like the only one in my classes,” says Trainor.
Dane County Horse and Pony Superintendent Brenda James says you’ll see plenty of horses at this year’s fair, but not as many of the other animals.
“Dairy cattle have really dropped in numbers and so have farmers around the area,” says James. “Small farms are being gobbled up so you don’t see as many of the farm animals.”
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