Barnyard Beginners, Part 3
In this installment of our series, the kids in the Livestock Enrichment Program make their final preparations for the Red River Valley Fair.
WEST FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – The rain pummeled the outside of the Ellingson Livestock Arena on the morning of June 27 – but that hardly put a dent in the frantic activity inside, and even the goats, sheep, and pigs could sense there was something going on.
“They know something’s happening, because they’re getting a bath, and they’re getting blow-dried, and they’re getting brushed, and everyone’s making a big deal,” said Sarah Thomas, caretaker of Gilligan the goat.
“They know something’s happening, they just don’t know what.”
This was the final day those participating in the Livestock Enrichment Program, or LEP, would be in the barn before the Red River Valley Fair opens and the eyes of the community fall on the animals the kids spent the entire summer raising.
“Try and get everything done that you need to, get as much downtime as you can, because once the Fair starts, you’re practically going to be living here,” laughed Thomas.
Our protagonists Frankie, Corinna, and Sarah have dedicated hours upon hours to making sure those animals are ready for showtime – though that’s not to say there might not still be a few kinks to work out.
“She likes to move around and wiggle a lot,” said Frankie regarding her lamb, Pumpkin.
“We did showmanship today with the pigs, and Petunia was pretty good, but she decided to jump up on the pen, so she was standing on two legs,” added Corinna.
Now all that’s left to do, though, before they say their final goodbyes, is to see how they perform.
The closer those goodbyes draw, the more the kids are aware that they’ll be difficult.
“I probably will shed some tears, but that’s just the circle of life,” said Corinna.
Our final installment of the Barnyard Beginners series will cover the auction process at the Fair itself and what it’s like for kids in the LEP to part with their animals for good.
