Three-year-old lets brother show, sell lamb at Othello Fair

Othello — Gracie Wade effortlessly leaded her lamb Ghost around the walkway of the sheep barn at the Othello Fair on Friday, Sept. 13. This is her second lamb, and the first one she is selling.

But Gracie didn’t get to show her lamb. She had to let her older brother Luke do it for her. Most fairs aren’t used to having a three-year-old show a lamb.

Gracie is the youngest of five kids.

“She thinks it’s normal,” said her mom Shelley.

Her family raises sheep. Since her older siblings were raising lambs for fair, Gracie’s parents decided to give her a bummer lamb. A bummer lamb is a lamb that had been rejected by or is unable to be fed by its mother.

“The other kids were going to 4-H meetings,” Shelley said. “We let her pack it along.”

Last year, Gracie didn’t sell her lamb. This year, Luke, Gracie’s brother talked her into letting him sell her lamb. Luke also showed his lamb in the Othello Fair.

“He has a ewe and he wants to keep it,” said Shelley.

Gracie is excited about selling her lamb because it means she will get a new one next year. When asked what she would name her next lamb, she answered, “Horse.”

Rachal Pinkerton may be reached via email at rpinkerton@columbiabasinherald.com