Exhibitor age discussed at special Fair Board meeting

POMEROY–Members of the Garfield County Fair Board and visitors met in a special meeting on Tuesday night, March 3, in the courtroom of the county courthouse to discuss exhibitor age limits in open showing classes at the fair. Age limits currently require that exhibitors showing hogs must be five years or older, whereas the other open livestock classes have no age limits. Until last year, the hog showing classes were also open to any age.

Numerous views were expressed both supporting a five-year-old age limit as well as opposing it. The primary concern for those in favor of an age limit is the possibility of putting young children into a potentially dangerous situation. It was pointed out while many children have grown up around animals like hogs and are aware of the animals unpredictability, there are other people coming into the community that do not have that experience or knowledge. One suggestion was to allow very young children to show lambs but not hogs.

Another question addressed at what point is the parent’s right to participate going to be taken away, as these types of showing events give kids the opportunity to learn how to care for and work with animals. One person expressed the opinion that, “Some say the auction is the backbone of fair but I disagree; the exhibitors—in every department—are the backbone of the fair.”

The general feeling of the group was that pre-registration of animals and entrants would really help. Smaller classes would also improve safety, since trying to put too many pigs for the size of the arena increases the risk to the exhibitors. If space in the hog barn for more entrants was a concern, the group was assured the fair would find a solution.

Fair board president Sara Lunsford read the Whitman County requirements for their fair, which include pre-registration by a certain date, superintendents can make a final decision regarding an entry, and “Rules of Expectations” for participants.

If age limits were implemented, should this then apply “across the board” to all open showing of large livestock—sheep, goats, pigs, steers and horses? When asked what would be the impact of an age limit on open horse showing, the board stated that horses of young children are already required to be led by a parent.

Because last year was the first time the age limit had been in place, one audience member suggested going back to how it used to be, but with “expectations” and parents be required to be in the ring with exhibitors who are age four and under.

Other benefits to the fair of allowing young exhibitors were pointed out, such as increased attendance. Chris Field made a motion with the following: 1. Pre-registration required for all animals showing in open class by June 15; 2. All children ages four and under be required to have a parent or legal guardian listed on the pre-registration (not older siblings or friends) present in the ring with them; 3. Implement some “expectations” language (to be determined); and 4. Department superintendent retains the right to determine if a particular entrant or animal is safe to show. The motion passed and Lunsford will follow up with the county’s attorney, Matt Newberg. An audience member said although he liked the idea of what the motion proposed, there was still the issue of liability. Lacey Gingerich responded that two years ago, the fair had nothing in place addressing these concerns, so this is still significant progress.

Before closing the meeting, Lunsford told the group there were multiple persons interested in the position of hog barn superintendent. Leta Travis asked if there was any progress on hiring for the new maintenance person at the fairgrounds and was informed that the commissioners have had interviews and plan to make a decision soon.