Child’s Play: Washington County Fair Offers Contest, Crafts for Kids | News, Sports, Jobs

Participants bring their calves to be judged at the Washington County Fair on Monday. (Photo by Michelle Dillon)

MARIETTA — The penultimate day of the Washington County Fair was sunny, a welcome respite from the rain clouds the day before, and gave attendees the chance to see a variety of animals and participate in numerous activities.

Fairgoers had the chance to watch the Market Calf Show, where young people brought their calves to be judged. There was also a dairy show, harness racing and much more.

On Monday afternoon, a stakes racing competition was held for riders and their horses. Jaelah Jenkins, 11, competed in the event with her horse Patches. The challenge was to mount the horse and then make tight turns with it as she approached two stakes in the ground.

The horses are Jenkins’ favorite part of the fair, she said, and she enjoys riding them.

The high-stakes test was to ride a horse fast. That scares some people, Jenkins said, but not her.

The Nit Pickers perform at the Washington County Fair on Monday. (Photo by Michelle Dillon)

“I like to go fast” she said.

Jenkins came to the fair with her family, including her mother Alicia Jenkins.

Alicia Jenkins said she has four children and they all ride horses. She wants them “because it gets them out of the house and teaches them good ethnic work.”

Her children compete in horse shows at the fair every year because she thinks it’s fun to see them improve each year, she said.

Jaleah Jenkins took second place in the event and said she felt “GOOD” about her second place finish. She said she enjoyed participating in events at the fair because “We get a lot of ribbons and stuff.”

Brynleight Holbert, 5, left, and her sister Raelyn Holbert, 7, right, enjoy a cold treat at the Washington County Fair on Monday. (Photo by Michelle Dillon)

Children at the fair also had the chance to do a craft project. Cayla Morris brought her two daughters, Ashley Morris, 11, and Courtney Morris, 8, to the fair Monday. They were in the junior fair building Monday afternoon painting pumpkins to take home.

They both used a variety of different paint colors to decorate their pumpkins.

Although Ashley Morris loves crafts, her favorite part of the fair is “I’m probably showing my turkeys,” she said. She likes the “unique features, like the snood” turkeys especially, she said.

Courtney Morris also enjoys the animals at the fair.

“I like animals and having fun” she said.

Sisters Ashley Morris, 11, left, and Courtney Morris, 8, right, paint pumpkins in the Junior Fair building at the Washington County Fair on Monday. (Photo by Michelle Dillon)

According to Courtney Morris, her favorite animals at the fair are probably the turkeys.

The fair also offered many different food options including snow cones, ice cream, fried dough and more. Josh Holbert and Ashleigh Holbert brought their two daughters to the fair and they enjoyed a snow cone on Sunday.

Raelyn Holbert, 7, said her favorite part of the fair is the “walks”.

Brynleigh Holbert, 5, also loves rides, she said, and the swings are her favorite.

For Josh Holbert, the fair is about his children. “Just kids having fun” It’s his favorite part of the fair, he said.

Jaleah Jenkins, 11, rides Patches during a stakes competition for the 8-13 age group at the Washington County Fair on Monday. Jenkins won second place. (Photo by Michelle Dillon)

The last day of the Washington County Fair is today. The fair schedule and other information is available at https://www.washcountyfair.com/.

Camdyn Eddy, 18 months, left, and his brother Holden Eddy, 3, right, play Happy Messy Play at the Washington County Fair on Sunday. (Photo by Michelle)

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