Published: August 01, 2008 01:54 am            

NIAGARA COUNTY FAIR: Families get the 'farm experience'

TOWN OF LOCKPORT — Local families had the chance to get up close and personal with livestock at the Niagara County Fair on Thursday.

While the rides and games drew crowds outside, the barns filled with cows, goats, pigs and other livestock drew in the animal lovers.

Jerry and Jan Maybach and their grandchildren, Lauren, 11, and Gavin, 7, walked through each barn, looking at the goats and cows.

“The kids like to see the animals,” Jerry said.

Jan said they want to give Lauren and Gavin the “farm experience.”

“They don’t live on a farm, and we both grew up on farms,” she said.

Gavin changed his mind several times when asked what his favorite part of the fair was, trying to choose between the rides and the games, but he finally settled on one thing:

“Actually, I like the candy,” he said.

Next to the barns, in the show ring, a judge picked out the winners of the 4-H beef and dairy steer shows.

The skies were cloudy, but the rain held off through the afternoon. There was enough wind to blow the smell of freshly-cooked chicken from the chicken barbecue over the fairgrounds.

Outside, the rides were up and running, with kids rushing to ride the bumper cars and Ferris wheel.

Linda Laettner came to the fair with her grandchildren, and the family spent time in the livestock barns.

“We always come every single year,” Linda said. “They have a good time. The kids enjoy seeing the animals, especially.”

The family watched a hen lay an egg in one cage, then spent some time petting the goats and the piglets.

Her granddaughter, 11-year-old Lindsay, said she wants to have a farm some day.

The fair continues today with “Bicentennial Day,” offering free admission from 6 to 10 p.m., sponsored by the county’s Bicentennial Committee.

For a full list of events, visit www.niagarafair.org.

Contact reporter April Amadon at 439-9222, ext. 6251.

        

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