Plenty of events at the two-night Southwest Washington Fair Rodeo saw riders and ropers hailing from Chehalis, Centralia, South Thurston County, Toledo, Montesano and Yelm.
But no event saw more local entrants than mutton busting, organized by Southwest Washington Fair volunteers Tracy Hisel and Sybil Kuhn. Both nights, riders ages 4 and older donned various levels of protective gear and mounted sheep, including “Lamb-borghini,” “ReeeeBaaaa McEntire,” “Lady BaBa,” and “Marshmallow.”
Appropriately, ReeeeBaaaa McEntire was the gentlest.
Busters wore oversized motorcycle helmets, mohawk-spiked bicycle headgear and cowboy hats. Others just mounted the sheep helmetless.
Announcer JimBob Custer called the event “the only legal form of child abuse.” Fortunately, no children or sheep were harmed. They did all go home with a thick coat of dust, however.
On Wednesday, winners of buckles and other prizes from mutton busting, in order from first to third, were Buck Naillon, Errow Benes and Niko Cruz. Thursday’s winners were Kaiden Arias, Jace Craig and Jackson Coleman.
For those who didn’t make it to the rodeo, or for kids who are itching to get back on the sheep, competitions titled “Wool Busters” are open at the north end of the fairgrounds every day at 2, 4 and 6 p.m. Entrance and viewing are free with admission to the fair.
Events in the Grandstands arena will continue over the weekend with 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monster Truck shows on Saturday and the demolition derby on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Tickets to both events are sold separately from fair admission.
For more information and a schedule of events, head to https://southwestwashingtonfair.org/events or call the Fair Office at 360-740-1495.
