Today we spotlight two agriculture-related events, initiated within the past few years, that have become very popular with Fair visitors. The Cow Birthing Center was expanded this year after drawing crowds of curious visitors when initiated in 2013. It occupied a big top on the western end of the grounds with bleachers and video screens.
Not much was happening when we visited. You can’t tell a cow when to give birth, you have to time your visit right or check in via a webcam. One clever idea had some yearlings born at the Fair last year making cameo appearances and city folks were likely amazed at how big they had grown.
We reported in an earlier post about the Agriculture Extravaganza, held in the Coliseum on Labor Day. Many types of agriculture are represented, from honey production to vegetable farming to various kinds of livestock. They held the rooster crowing contest there as well.
The animals on hand, from rabbits to llamas, are friendly and easy to pet and there is staff at every station, eager to answer questions. We’d like to see the extravaganza made into a daily event, though it obviously would need to move out of the Coliseum which is used for horse shows and other events. Maybe they could use a tent as they did for the birthing center, circuses and other exhibits.
It’s encouraging that ingenious people on the Fair staff keep coming up with great ideas like these budding classics to brighten the future of the Fair.
Another hands-on animal favorite takes place at the State Police area where their canine unit always draws a crowd with their police dog meet-and-greets. Some of these working hounds seem to enjoy taking a break from sniffing out drugs, detecting explosives or doing rescue work to soak up the petting and attention of Fairgoers. Handlers in uniform supervise and answer questions about their charges as fans, young and old, pay a visit.
There’s plenty more to review and the Hound has a few comments about Fair attendance, so check back often.
Leave a Reply