The real reason for the fair

A trip to the Merced County Fair is always fun, especially for kids. But don’t just ride the rides or eat all the gooey, yummy food that’s there. Remember what fairs were originally for - the animals.
And at our fair, it’s still all about the animals. And the 4-H and FFAers that bring those animals to the fair. Those kids work hard for sometimes up to two years, and then spend at least 12 hours a day at the fair, watching over their project animals and keeping them safe and happy.
I think that raising an animal is good for the kids. It gives them a reason to be responsible, and for some reason, most of the kids who raise animals are very polite and respectful.
I’ve been to the fair, talking to those kids, and every single one is well-spoken and polite. It’s really nice to see kids who have a goal in life, and are willing to work for that goal.
I know that all kids can’t raise animals, a lot of them have no place to keep them. But some of those 4-Hers and FFAers don’t have land, and keep their animals somewhere else. It takes a lot of work to do that, driving to where the animal is in order to work with it, feed it and just take care of it.
So when you’re at the fair this week, take a little bit of time and visit the animals. And take some time to talk to those kids, I’ll think you will be surprised, and pleased.