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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 16, 2017)
Polk County Living The 2017 Polk County Fair was a three-day extrava- ganza filled with thrills, tasty treats and family- friendly entertainment. Polk County Itemizer-Observer • August 16, 2017 7A A ‘moo’mentous event EMILY MENTZER/Itemizer-Observer Competitors had a variety of open class contests to enter at the Polk County Fair, including fresh flowers. JOLENE GUZMAN/Itemizer-Observer Cuteness abounds during the Beautiful Baby contest on Saturday morning at the Polk County Fair. TOP LEFT: A contestant and her goat partner race through the goat obstacle course at the Polk County Fair on Thurs- day evening. Before the obstacle course, goats and their human counterparts were judged in a costume contest. STEPHANIE BLAIR/Itemizer-Observer ABOVE: Charlie the velociraptor and his handler drew crowds of onlookers, some a little apprehensive, during his times loose at the fairgrounds last weekend. Those brave enough to get close could pet him and take photos with him. Oth- ers decided to keep their distance. JOLENE GUZMAN/Itemizer-Observer LEFT: Sheep await grooming in the sheep and goat barn at the Polk County Fair on Friday afternoon. Animal exhibits are always a popular at- traction at the fair and this year’s lineup made for crowded barns. JOLENE GUZMAN/Itemizer-Observer Auction day brings range of emotions By Lukas Eggen The Itemizer-Observer RICKREALL — On the outside, Owen Jones looked calm, cool and collected. He was moments away from leading his steer into the 4-H and FFA Youth Mar- ket Auction during the Polk County Fair on Saturday af- ternoon. Jones, 11, is in his third year with 4-H, but this was his first time bringing a steer to auction. Although he has been through the auction process before, auction day still left Jones with a mix of emotions ranging from happiness to an almost sense of dread of what was to come. “It’s really sad,” Jones said. “You can do all you want to prepare, but it does- n’t really help.” Jones spent hours each day grooming his steer. During the months of preparation, Jones said you connect with your animal — even when things aren’t so easy. “I like working with cows, even though sometimes it feels like I don’t,” Jones said. “Sometimes, when they don’t want to listen to you and start running you over it’s hard, but overall, it’s fun.” Those struggles have served a higher purpose, Jones said. “It teaches you a lot of pa- tience and to be able to stay calm in stressful situations,” he said. While this was a moment to shine, it was also a mo- ment that signaled what was to come — mainly Jones’ steer going to a slaughter- house. And, despite the smile he put on, Jones couldn’t help but let his sadness show through. “It’s hard (to have to say goodbye),” he said. But the auction was also a proud moment, especially for Owen’s mother, Michelle. “He’s learned responsibil- ity and how to take owner- ship of something,” she said. “He spent three or four hours a day cleaning, feed- ing and taking care of the steer. The ownership you get from that is something I don't think a lot of kids his age have.” Despite the bittersweet af- ternoon, Owen said he wouldn’t trade his experi- ence for anything. “If people are thinking of joining 4-H, they should be- cause it's really fun,” he said. LUKAS EGGEN/Itemizer-Observer Owen Jones prepares his steer for auction on Saturday afternoon.
