Getting Animals Fair Ready

ZANESVILLE, OH – When you think of the Fair, you think about the food, rides, and of course the animals. But have you wondered what really goes into getting an animal to be show ready?

Today at the Fair, we took an opportunity to chat with some Fair Royalty as well as a Dairy Ambassador about everything that goes into showing.

This year Maddy McConnell, the Muskingum County Junior Fair Dairy Princess, is showing a breeding rabbit as well as a dairy cow and explained what she’s done with her animals to be ready.

“With rabbits, I’ve had the one I’m showing about all year,” McConnell said. “The dairy cow I got this summer, it’s just taking care of it, with the dairy cow it’s more walking and getting it halter broke. The rabbit isn’t that much work, just keeping it alive.”

Cameron Hogue, the 2024 Dairy Ambassador is a bit busier with three dairy cows, a few rabbits, as well as beef cow.

He said it’s been a bit of a challenge trying to get himself and six animals ready for show, but it has definitely been rewarding.

“It’s been very hard cause I have 6 animals to get ready for the fair,” Cameron said. “[When the Fair’s over] I don’t really know how I’ll feel because it’s fun and then you know you have school that starts after.”

Caiden Hogue, the 2024 Muskingum County Fair King, said he’s showing two dairy calves, a senior heifer calf and a senior yearling calf, and they’ve been a challenge with their very different personalities.

“They both have completely different personalities, I will say,” Caiden said. “But I’m really enjoying showing them.”

If you are interested in seeing the complete list of which animals will be shown throughout the week you can head to the Muskingum County Fair’s website.