Adams County Fair becomes petting zoo

OTHELLO — Several youth found a hang-out spot in the animal barns at the Adams County Fair amongst hundreds of housed animals Wednesday.

"Oh, I have hair all over myself," said 13-year-old Abigail Shelby while petting a rabbit.

"You were already hairy," replied 13-year-old Jacob Gratton.

The two shared a laugh with friend Ben Taff, 13, as they exchanged jokes about each other in the rabbit barn.

Rabbits are nothing new to the group.

The three are members of the 4-H program and have all shown rabbits at one point during their membership. Shelby retired from rabbits and moved on to showing sheep.

"My favorite part of the fair is skipping school, going to the rabbit barn and hanging out all the time," Shelby said.

There are more than 40 rabbits at the Adams County Fair this year.

That was just one piece of a much larger picture.

The poultry barn next door houses more than 50 birds. It includes various types of chickens, doves, roosters and geese. The birds sat calmly while children passed by on opening day. Some children tried their best to reach their fingers through the wire caged walls to touch their feathers, but the birds were too far out of reach.

The cows are a little easier to pet.

Hereford, Holstein and Angus cattle lay sluggishly in the open barns. Some napped while others chewed their cud Wednesday. There are more than 80 cattle at the fair.

The sheep seemed to be just as lazy. There are more than 70 sheep in the barns, most of which appeared to be taking naps too.

Dorothy Floren, 11, brought her sheep to the fair.

"I really like showing dairy heifers, sheep and horses," she said. "At this fair, I have sheep and horses."

Floren brought two six-month-old Cheviot sheep to show for 4-H.

The goats were more up beat than the cattle and sheep. They often jumped up onto the metal bars that stretched across their pens when people walked by. There are more than 40 goats at being displayed at the fair.

There are also horses, llamas, pigs, ducks, puppies and kittens. All are there for the petting, unless they are grumpy and don't want to be touched.

The Adams County Fair is open through Saturday night.