BY SAUNDRA AMRHEIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HAMILTON -- He is fat and hairy but would put any super model to shame.
Within the first few hours of the 1998 Butler County Fair, Baloo the Broken Holland Lop bunny rabbit won a first-place blue ribbon in his category for his pudgy cheeks and broad face.
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IF YOU GO
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What: The Butler County Fair.
Where: Butler County Fairgrounds on Ohio 4 in Hamilton.
When: 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. today through Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday.
Highlights: Demolition derbies 7 p.m. today and Friday; harness racing 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; and a tractor pull 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday.
Cost: $4 for adults; $1 for children 6-12. Parking is $1. On July 29, senior citizens admitted free. |
"That butterfly (pattern) that goes down his nose is really good," 12-year-old owner Jonathan Swiger said, cradling his floppy-eared bunny.
"That's what you want, even-faced looks."
The 147th annual fair opened Sunday as both a chance for Baloo to model his mug and for young people like Jonathan to display their budding expertise in livestock and agriculture.
Jonathan also entered two other rabbits he bred and five goats into a series of contests during the weeklong fair. Among the goats are Milo and Otis, twins born Friday.
"This is my favorite part of summer," he said. "It's what I look forward to rather than getting out of school."
Jonathan, his brother and mother arrived the night before from their Madison Township home to sleep in the goat barn with other animal owners.
His day began at 6:30 a.m. feeding the goats, trimming the bunnies and just generally making sure they all were in good condition. "Then I sat there three and a half hours waiting for them to call my rabbit," he said.
The various animal, quilting or woodworking contests are good opportunities for young people to get involved and show off their talents, said Rosemary Beeler of Reily Township.
And a great place to meet friends, added her 14-year-old daughter Amy Beeler, who will show a calf and goat in contests throughout the week.
More than 80,000 people are expected to gather for the fair, which runs until Friday, said Kent Taylor, treasurer of the fair board run by the Butler County Agricultural Society.
Mr. Taylor welcomed Sunday's sunny weather as a blessing kick-off for the event, sprinkled with carrousels, candy apples and amusement rides.
For Jonathan, the thrill of the day was enough to keep him running between rabbit and goat barns, even with only three hours of sleep. "I like that people come here looking at my animals and say, "Isn't that cute,' " he said. "It makes me happy, really."
