The 2023 HFFCF Fair

It was all systems go this weekend for the annual HFFCF fair after a year of 4H meetings and a couple of months work raising rabbit pens for the livestock auction. The kids and their pens were at the fairgrounds on Friday morning bright and early (6AM!) after a late night at the parade the night before, but I think they were both running on adrenaline (and a little anxiety) ahead of the morning’s judging. A lot of fun to stroll around the fairgrounds and see all the auction: pigs getting bathed, sheep getting groomed and blowdried, chickens being fluffed… And of course lots of cute little kiddos putting the final touches on their work before the judging began.

The market rabbit judging was quite cool to watch, the judge was so methodical as he moved between the 19 pens of bunnies in the 4H event. He didn’t know the weights of the rabbits in each pen but we did, he was incredible being able to tell the weight differences within an ounce or two just by quickly handling each animal. Unfortunately Lilia or Max didn’t place in the market rabbits event this year, but their 4H buddy Wyatt scored third, which was great to see.

The judge for rabbit showmanship was a super supportive and friendly local gal who really helped calm all the participants’ nerves as they went through the motions of their routines. Lilia’s bunny wasn’t being entirely cooperative during her time in front of the judge, but surprisingly the judge didn’t ding her for the rabbit flipping over from its supine position close to 10 times! Lilia, Max and Wyatt placed fourth through sixth (in that order) in the showmanship event, great for them all to get a ribbon. It was interesting to see the judging sheets after the event: Max scored higher in the actual showing portion of the event but didn’t do well in the rabbit knowledge portion as the judge peppered him with questions about his rabbit and rabbit raising in general. Good learning for next year if the kids show rabbits again. So nice for all the AVS teachers to come by on their day off to see the kids compete.

A lot of excitement in the air as all the kids sat through the awards ceremonies ahead of the auction. The Warm Springs 4H kids performed really well as a group, lots of trophies and plaques were taken home by Lilia and Max’s fellow club members. Max was awarded “best in show” in the black and white photography category, some big grins from him as he walked away with his plaque.

The auction was a great part of the weekend: each exhibitor parading their livestock out in front of the crowd – which had been liquored up at the buyer dinner an hour-or-so before – with the auctioneer rolling through prices over the loudspeaker and bidders raising their numbers. So much support from the local community for all the kids, there were some incredible prices paid. A huge thank you to the Munselle family – who bought Max’s pen – and the Leffew family – who will be taking home Lilia’s rabbits. I think the Valtenbergs family somehow ended up buying a hog at auction too!