Sisters well-represented at county fair

The Deschutes County Fair was the main attraction in Central Oregon without question. Marching through the gauntlet of food vendors hawking rainbow suckers, donut sundaes and fresh corn on the cob, one was lured by the lull of bleating lambs and oinking pigs where 4-H clubs displayed their prized animals.

Sisters Country has been a longstanding supporter of the 4-H and FFA programs and their importance to the agricultural community. "For my club, my community, my country and my world," ends the 4-H pledge. The official 4-leaf clover emblem dates back to 1911 and represents the head, heart, hands and health.

It was goats galore as the milking goat competition wrapped up on Friday. La Mancha and alpine goats sported shiny collars and seemed somewhat bewildered at being stared at on the lawns. ADGA judge, Pat Hendrickson, was pleased with the overall quality of the animals presented for inspection by the junior owners and breeders.

"I've been involved with goats since 1972," she said, taking a breather after the last class. "I've seen a real improvement in the lines. Many of these 4-H kids are presenting three or four years of their own breeding."

Over in the sheep barn, girls and boys watched over their flocks. Some sprayed hairspray on their sheep's legs and fluffed them up with a blow drier. Many cleaned cages or pinned up their club's latest ribbons.

In only his first show, 10-year-old Sam Mitchell of the Cloverdale Livestock Club took his young ewe, named Aspen, into the ring.

"I think she did really good for only our first show. You have to keep their feet lined up and not too close together," he said, latching the gate on Aspen's pen. "The judge comes by and feels their rib cage and muscles. For showmanship they ask you questions about sheep. I got them both right. I'm really looking forward to the buyers barbecue on Sunday. I'm trying to sell my other sheep named Chuck, he's a 7-month-old cross-bred."

Awbrey Cyrus, also of the Cloverdale club, brought a yearling ewe and a Hampshire producing ewe to the fair for show. Her handsome ram was awarded reserve supreme champion on Thursday. Cyrus, a recent Sisters High School graduate, was also grand champion in the 4-H mechanics competition for her Breedlove-style mahogany and myrtlewood guitar built in the school's guitar-making class.

An outpouring of clucking and crowing greeted fairgoers to the small animal barn where a menagerie of roosters, hens, ducks and geese strutted their feathers. Rabbits of all colors and sizes showed off their coats and twitching noses, napping in pens and dreaming of ripe carrot fields.

Tyler Surface of Wascally Wabbits 4-H Club in Sisters took home one of many blue ribbons with his Himalayan rabbit, Nibbles.

"I've been in 4-H for five years," said Surface. "I brought 11 rabbits total, representing five different breeds including a market pen of three fryer rabbits to sell. I got six champion ribbons and three second-places. I was very happy."

Last year, the 11-year-old was the recipient of the Prince Award in the State of Oregon by the Oregon League of Rabbit and Cavy Breeders. The prize is given for all-around knowledge of breeds and breeding and includes a 100-question exam and interview. Surface was also part of the Oregon junior judging team for the 2009 National Finals in San Diego.

"I love being here at the fair with my rabbits and showing them," he said, taking two sleek rabbits from a pen. "I like staying close and making sure they're safe and not too hot. Nibbles is my showmanship rabbit which you're judged on knowledge and handling. I really don't have a favorite. I love them all equally."

Wascally Wabbits is open for new members. Contact Kara Surface at 541-408-0668.