Youth Fair Fun!
By: Emily Guiles
The Muskegon County Fairgrounds have celebrated their 88th annual Youth County Fair, which went on from July 20th to July 25th. The Youth Fair is an opportunity for community growth and youth to show off their hard work. All the kids at the fairgrounds are in charge of their own animal, and could be seen handling their animals or mucking out their stalls.
The youth fair was sponsored by; Ravenna Lumber, GripTrac, Swanson Pickle Co. Inc., Community Shores Bank, Mabrito’s Garage, and Mabrito’s Motors. There were more sponsors who sponsored the individual activities at the fairgrounds. The fair games were sponsored by; Embroi de art, Holly Hughes, Clary’s Chicken Farm, and Chase Bank. The fair games included; toss the pig, flying chickens, egg run, egg toss, and mini horse pull.
Many other attractions were present at the Youth Fair, including horse judging, swine judging, poultry judging, tractor pulls, an open dog show, and a talent show.
The superintendent for the overall horse judging was Desiree Whipple, for show it was Kris Fitzgerald, for barn it was Melissa Morgan, and for operations it was Sarah Knight. The horse judging consisted of many different aspects; including trail costume, open driving, western horsemanship, western pleasure, dressage and reining. The horse owners housed their animals in six stables that were located in the back of the fairgrounds and were open to the public.
To enter your market steers into the fair they must weigh a minimum of 900 pounds, for feeder cattle they must weigh 600 pounds.
There was also an inanimate goods and bake sale going on, which was sponsored by Hecksel Farm Drainage, and Jawor Brothers Country Store. This was one of the many activities for families and youth to partake in without animals, there was also a 5K 4H family fun run, and a kids run, along shooting games and contests for youth. There was also a youth dance, and concert featuring Yard Sale Underwear, and a talent show.
Many businesses make the fairgrounds their headquarters during the youth fair. To rent space at the fair is 5 dollars per linear foot, with a minimum of 10 feet. Each vendor space comes with 120 volt outlet, with a 220 volt outlet available for extra. To camp at the fairgrounds it is 50 dollars per week with 120 volt outlets, it is 80 dollars per week for a lot with 220 volt outlets.
