Goats are having something of a moment.
The goat seems to have succeeded the cat as the Internet’s favorite animal. Perhaps you’re one of the 3.3 million viewers of a YouTube video mashing up a Taylor Swift song and goats bleating.
There was plenty of bleating Thursday, the day of the goat at the La Plata County Fair. It was also the day of the swine, which were shown in the morning.
Yet, as said 13-year-old Kaleb Lee of Bayfield, who has raised both, the goats have more personality.
Goats paraded into the fairgrounds pavilion one shaky hoof at a time. Gumdrop and Velvet were there. So were Kyle and Tina.
“Goats are the only animal born smiling,” said Jan Bradberry, who keeps a herd of about 15 goats at her Dry Creek Dairy in the Ignacio area.
Bradberry raises Nigerian dwarf goats. Gumdrop and Velvet have grown to about 19 inches tall. Adult does average about 50 pounds, Bradberry said.
One goat got a little hungry in line and decided to munch on the number pinned to the back of its owner, and that of a girl standing nearby. A mom told her daughter, “Stay away from that goat.”
Bad kid.
Haylee Shonk-Olguin of Ignacio won the junior showmanship buckle with her 8-month-old goat, Tina, a Boer goat. Boer goats are raised for meat.
“They’re fun to play with,” she said. “They’re really funny.”
Haylee started showing goats with Tina’s mom, Cinnamon. She’s since stuck with Cinnamon’s offspring.
Jason Miller roamed the ring, judging the entrants on the basis of their eye contact, poise and positioning, among other fine points.
“It’s a meat show,” he said after one contest. “He’s got to have the muscle. He’s got to have the meat.”
This year’s La Plata County Fair is the first in many years without Randy McKee, the longtime board president. McKee died in February from complications of the H1N1 virus. He was 60.
McKee was known for answering questions with one word: “Seriously?”
“There’s a big absence,” said Amy Peterson, who stepped in as board president. “It’s really sad for a lot of us.”
New this year, the Fair started a bull-riding competition Wednesday night. today will be highlighted by various beef competitions.
On Saturday, there’s the ever-popular Demolition Derby. The event sells out annually. A few remaining tickets will be released at the entrance gate at 8 a.m. Saturday. Gates open at 10 a.m.; the derby starts at noon.
Also Saturday, a new event debuts with the 4-H Marketplace 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Youths will share their business ideas, from selling jewelry to postcards.
Greg Felsen, 4-H’s youth-development extension agent, said the Fair reflects the “strong agricultural traditions of our area.”
“Everyone gets to come together and see each other again,” he said.
cslothower@durangoherald.com
La Plata County Fair Schedule
All events take place at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave. For more information, call 247-4355 or visit www.co.laplata.co.us.
Today
9 a.m.-8 p.m. Exhibits open to the public.
9 a.m. Judging of 4-H and FFA rabbits.
10 a.m. 4-H and FFA Breeding Beef, Beef Showmanship.
1 p.m. 4-H and FFA Market Beef, Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Market Beef, Champion Selection.
4 p.m. 4-H and FFA Livestock Round Robin, All-Around Showmanship.
7 p.m. Talent Contest on the patio.
7-9:30 p.m. Antique Tractor Pull.
Saturday
9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Exhibits open to the public.
9 a.m. Judging open class beef for all classes.
9 a.m. 4-H Dog Show on the grassy area west of the Extension Building.
10 a.m. Rooster Crowing Contest.
10 a.m. FFA Showmanship.
10 a.m.-3 p.m. 4-H Marketplace offering 4-H youth products for sale.
11 a.m. Open-class dairy cattle for all classes.
11 a.m. Poultry costume contest.
Noon Demolition Derby. Gates open at 10 a.m.
Noon-5 p.m. Community 4-H Barbecue Cook-Off.
2 p.m. Rabbit Costume Contest. A costume parade of animals will follow.
5 p.m. Silver Steaks Award presentation.
5:45 p.m. Fair Royalty Crowning.
6 p.m. Junior Livestock Sale will take place in the pavilion.
9 p.m.-1 a.m. Fair family dance will take place on the patio.
Sunday
8:30 a.m. Cowboy Church will take place in the pavilion.
9 a.m.-2 p.m. Exhibits open to the public.
1:30 p.m. 4-H/FFA Catch-it Contest.
