West Plains Fair abuzz with activities

Pat Terry, West Plains Fair executive secretary, had an idea 14 years ago: “The West Plains needs a community fair,” she said at that time.

She assembled a group of people and began to plan.

One of their first decisions was to designate the second weekend in August as “fair time.”

Terry laughed as she remembered past years of rain or blowing wind.

“This year,” she said, “the weather was perfect” at the Cheney Rodeo Grounds.

Fair Queen Amanda Hansen and her two princesses, Amanda McCoury and Madelin Copus, each entered animals for show during last weekend’s fair. Among their pets were dogs, Hansen’s cat Sami, rabbits and goats.

On opening day last Friday, judging was held for pocket pets, which can be anything from a toad to a hedgehog. Lizards qualify under Lot 8: Other. Most pocket pets are in the general guinea pig category.

Friday also was the time for dog obedience competition. Fitting and showing of poultry and rabbits was also held Friday.

Dog classes culminated Sunday with prizes for the longest ears, shortest tail and other attributes.

Several regal-looking horses, their groomed coats shining in the sun, performed Saturday and Sunday. Among the competitions were halter, showmanship, English Pleasure and Western Pleasure.

Gymkhana competitions Sunday included barrel racing, bareback riding and other performances.

Llamas, always a crowd pleaser, were put through their paces Sunday. After the competition, the owners invited membes of the public to try their skills at taking a llama through the obstacle course.

Fairgoers enjoyed a free barbecue, talent show, and a dance Saturday evening.

Kids’ games Sunday included penny scramble, egg toss, balloon toss and candy scramble.

An impressive array of indoor exhibits crowded the fair hall. Tables and walls were decorated with colorful quilts, antique jewelry, flowers, dried foods, jams and cookies, artwork and photography.

Along one wall was an eye-catching display of ribbons, awards and scrapbooks from previous fairs.

“The inmates from Airway Heights Correctional Center arranged the displays for us,” Terry said. “They put up the canopies and animal corrals.

“When the fair is over, they’ll be back to take it all down.”

Katherine Lambright, fair treasurer, fashions the covers for each year’s scrapbook.

“I make them from T-shirt material,” she said. She sews a yearly pillow sporting the fair’s logo as well.

Lambright belongs to one of six Red Hat societies in the area. Red Hat members entertained by playing kazoos.