Cassie Dureh, 14, of Napavine, prepares her sheep Annie for the fit and show competition during the annual Spring Youth Fair on Saturday.
Joel Rotter, 16 of Winlock, guides his dog Jay through an obstacle course during the Spring Youth Fair that took place at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds over the weekend.
Kids show off their goats during a competition held at the 34th annual Spring Youth Fair over the weekend at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds.
A llama pulls a cart of two Spring Youth Fair participants during the llama parade. The attraction marched through the fairgrounds on Saturday, showcasing llamas in a variety of costumes.
Two llamas, dressed as undercover super heroes, participate in the llama parade on Saturday during the Spring Youth Fair at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds.
During one of the llama shows, a Spring Youth Fair participant guides her animal under a bar in a showmanship challenge. The llama department was awarded a top honor from the Washington State Department of Agriculture for one of the most impressive divisions during the three-day event.
For the first time in 34 years, the annual Spring Youth Fair experienced three days of sunny weather as participants filled the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds for the event.
Children of all ages participated in a variety of different classes, with animal and non-animal categories. As the kids put their showmanship to the test, animals were paraded through the arenas showcasing their build and maneuvering.
Lee Coumbs, event organizer, said he was impressed with the number of students and activities involved in the fair.
This year State Department of Agriculture Fair Commissioner Ron Crawford evaluated the fair and awarded the llama department a black and white ribbon as a top award. Coumbs said it was the first time the department had received the honor, which is given to a category deemed as one of the most successful divisions.
The youths and their llamas participated in a number of activities, including a llama parade and a llama “limbo” where the animals were escorted to duck under a suspended pole.
“Those were the kinds of things he was impressed with,” Coumbs said.
The organizer said a highlight of the event is when a kid is awarded a ribbon and the judges are able to see how happy that makes them.
“My favorite part is the young kids, I love them,” Coumbs said. “It’s just an excitement that has to be followed secondly by the pride a young mother has when her youngster gets a ribbon or trophy is tremendous.”
During the event, approximately $40,000 in prizes was given out Sunday evening, and Coumbs said each participant left with something.
Among the premiums given out, Miley Iverson, Chehalis Middle School, won $20 for guessing the correct amount of soda cans crushed into a cube. Mai Berry, an exhibitor from Sherwood, Oregon, won the kiddy tractor pull for the fifth year in a row, earning yet another trophy.
Coumbs said the event would not be possible without the generous help of Lewis County.
“There’s tremendous support from our community just for participating, coming out and watching the kids,” he said. “We have a marvelous community.”
