Benton County Fair

Well it was off to the Benton County Fair. Fair is much different than I remember from my youth in Wyoming. Yes there are still some animals the 4-H club members are showing but goats and llamas are new and different to me. Also all the sheep are market sheep. None of the wool breeds that I showed in my younger days were to be found or dairy cows, only dairy goats.


Pigs yes we did see pigs. First the performing Valentine pigs performed on stage. Not the racing pigs but pigs that push balls around the stage or do other stupid tricks. You could even pay $5 to get your picture taken with the littlest pig. I’ll take a pass on that. Then there ware the show pigs and the FFA had a sow with a litter of seven pigs there just for people to see the real life of pigs, in the heat they were sleeping..

The chickens and rabbit barn is fun. An interesting collection of strange looking animals you never see on the farm. It was hot so most of the animals were sleeping for the day but one rooster was up and had to crow just to let us know he was there.

You have to stop by the stage often. The activity there keeps changing from pigs to music. The old time fiddle can be fun and I enjoy seeing the younger performers get up and show their talent. Many times it is better than the older adult players.

We had to spend some time at the rodeo for some calf roping and bronco riding. I will have to say most of the calves got away and the riders did not stay on the horse. But the rodeo queens were nice and acted as the clean-up crew to chase all of the calves and horses out or the arena. They may have been the best riders there. I was not impressed. May the cowboys in Wyoming are better or my memory is bad but I remember more success when I have been to rodeos before.

Of course you have to have the Livestock Association barbeque of beans, roll, beef, and lamb. And sit down with your ice cream cone to listen to Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts. A Portland group in its 29th year of rock and roll.