'Ready for the Show': 4-H Teaches Youth About Hard Work at County Fair

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette correspondent Olivia Funson in Unityville tends to her steer while doing evening chores at the Lycoming County Fair on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Funson, a member of the Country Roads 4-H Club, entered four project animals into the fair that will be auctioned off Friday.

It’s hard work but fun and educational for 4-H clubs at the 153rd Annual Lycoming County Fair in Hughesville.

Whether it’s feeding the crowds of hungry visitors at the food stand, tending to the cows, pigs, rabbits, horses, goats and sheep, or keeping the stalls and barns clean and the animals fed and watered, it’s non-stop action, including preparation for shows, where youngsters can earn Grand Champion honors in various categories.

On Tuesday night, Olivia Funson, 12, of Unityville, a member of Back Country Roads 4-H, showed off her skills around two breeding heifers and two steers.

She spread hay as a little horn joined a white Charolais and an Angus steer and a Charolais Angus cross steer all gobbled it up before being watered and put to bed for the evening.

“We’ll put them to bed for the night and tomorrow we’ll clean the stalls, give them breakfast and start all over again.” said Katja Funson, Olivia’s mother. “We’ll walk them, exercise them and make sure they’re ready for Friday morning’s show.”

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent A plate full of pizza pretzels is carried by fair volunteer Wes Snyder as he heads to his dinner break at the Lycoming County Fair on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. Many local service organizations traditionally offer their version of fair cuisine in booths under the grandstand.

4-H clubs are very family and community oriented. The club meets at the Unityville Volunteer Fire Co. headquarters.

“They allow us to meet once a month in one of their buildings,” Katja said.

At a previous show, the Funsons had seen two of their animals become Grand Champions.

The Short Horns and Charolais were ranked Grand Champions in their breeder categories.

At home, the animals are not tied up and roam in their enclosures. The breeders are together and the others are paired.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette correspondents Ruth Lauchle and Seth Varner guide their 4-H project animals around the rink during the swine show at the Lycoming County Fair on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.

About 10 weeks before the fair, efforts are made to accustom them to the noise. “We start listening to the radio” Katja said. “We tie them up more and more often. They get used to being tied up all day.”

On Tuesday, a large crowd gathered to watch the pig show. The trainers used “pig whips” to direct the show animals where they wanted them to walk in the show ring and the judges looked for the best exhibits.

Don’t miss the multitude of farm animals in the many barns filled with the sounds and sights of goats, sheep, cows and horses as well as rabbits.

The fair continues today and runs through Saturday.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette correspondent Seth Varner guides his 4-H project animal around the rink during the swine show at the Lycoming County Fair on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.

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