At the Kentucky State Fair

For many years my family has attended the Kentucky State Fair. We have showed cows, brought tobacco, entered photographs, I even won a blue ribbon for my jalapeño salsa. For several years we hosted the Graves County booth in the Pride of the Counties. We love coming and participating in the Kentucky State Fair. We normally come for the first weekend because that is when the dairy cows are shown. Normally though Jimmy and I stay in a hotel and we let the kids stay at the barn with the cows. That’s the privilege of our age and the fact that we can afford a hotel.

This year though has been different. We didn’t know if Jimmy could come and since Katie was the only one going to be showing cows I offered to help her in the barn. I was sort of excited about it. As you know, I love to camp, and staying in the barn with the cows is a lot like camping. Katie put up the tent and the cots. She went to the grocery and the liquor store (she only bought alcohol for herself – ha!). She built the bed for her 2 calves and decorated her display. Her sister and brother-in-law helped set up but her whole exhibit has Katie written all over it. She was ready to go on Wednesday.

Jimmy decided that he could take the time to come with me so we headed up Thursday afternoon. It took us about 5 loads in my little red wagon but we finally got everything unloaded for our 4 day stay. Katie had to show first thing Friday morning so she stayed up all night to take care of her cows.

You need to know, Katie has 2 calves. One was born in December 2018 so she’s about 8 months old. The other was born in March so she’s 5 months old. They’re babies. But they have good genetics and they belong to Katie so they should prove to be very good cows in the years to come.

Katie also has brought her border collie, Iris, with her. Iris is very well behaved and won’t take a breath without Katie telling her to. She is a beautiful dog and Katie is very proud of her. As you know people just love dogs so she is an attraction at the Fair.

I have never just sat at the barn. Katie has deemed me her “Show Jockey”. That means that it is my job to clean up after these two calves when they go to the bathroom. Yes, it’s not a glamorous job but somebody has to do it. Thank goodness Jimmy and I came up because I don’t think she would have asked anyone else to come to help her. Don’t get me wrong, she is quite capable of rooking people to help her but she wouldn’t have had anyone designated as show jockeys.

It has been pretty nice having Katie and her dad together showing cows. Years ago Jimmy would show at all the county fairs around us and he would sometimes bring his herd to the State Fair. But the older kids got older, he was going to quit milking, and all of the dairy shows got further and further away from us. He lost interest and then quit altogether. But Carilynn and Katie both always wanted to show cows.

One year for Christmas Carilynn and Curtis gave Katie and John a calf of their own. They were so excited. That summer, and for a few summers after that they spent some of their time going to county fairs around Carilynn and Curtis to show their cows. They were in heaven. John lost interest but Katie kept at it. She has been eaten up with cows ever since.

When she graduated from high school I told her that she could buy a calf. She researched the calf she wanted to have and went to the sale. Before she bought anything she called her dad for his opinion. She knew how much money she could spend but once she talked with her dad they decided that she should not buy one calf, but two! She was so excited. She was so proud. Curtis and Carilynn offered to let her house the calves with them and she was bit by the bug.

For a couple of reasons Katie ended up with just one calf. She should have had 4 at some point but just ended up with one. She knew that if she was going to show seriously that she needed to increase her herd. So, she did a lot of research, saved her money and negotiated to buy two calves direct from a breeder. Those are the calves that she brought this year to the Kentucky State Fair.

So now you know the set up. We are along a wall in the west wing, close to the dairy goats and rabbits. We’re not out of the way but we’re not in the center aisle. There are a lot of people walking through who are more interested in the rabbits or goats than they are dairy cows. But I have had some really interesting questions and I have overheard a lot of interesting conversations.

Mom, look at those horses.
Those aren’t horses, they’re animals.

Can you tell me where the restroom is?

Where am I?

She’s good around livestock. We have bunnies.

Where do I want to go?

That’s cow pee.
Yeah, I was going to tell you that you were kneeling in cow pee while you took a selfie.
You should have told me.
I don’t know you. I didn’t want you to get mad at me. It’ll wash out.
Katie: It’ll build character and it’ll wash out.

Are those miniature cows.
No, they’re babies.
Ooohhhh, ooookay.

Where are the new baby calves that were born last night?
I don’t know.
Yeah, twins were born last night out here. The lady at the information booth told us that.
Sorry, I don’t know.
I’m in a hurry. I don’t have time to look around.
Sorry, I don’t know.

Which way to the restroom?

Why are they so little?
They’re babies.

Look at that dog. Can I pet your dog (while they are petting my dog)?

Excuse me. Can you tell me where the nearest Men’s Restroom is?

Those aren’t cows are they? They look so bony.

What’s a cow say?

What kind of dog is that? Is that an Australian Shepherd?

Where is Fancy Farm? Is that the name of your farm?

Look Mom, it’s a camel.

Aaaahhhhh! (Like hundreds of times)

Can I pet your cow (while they are petting my calf)?

Do you all really take showers out here and everything?
Well, we can’t leave our cows. We have to stay with them, so yeah, we do take showers.

Ma’am, open that door. They told me to go through that door for the restroom. Where’s the restroom?
I honestly have no idea.

Do you see that, honey? That’s a bull. It has horns.

What wing is this?

Where is the dog show? Is your dog a part of the dog show? Is your dog for sale?

I have a question for you. Why do they look so bony?

Where are the goats?

Are these mama cows? Is the big one the little one’s mama?

Can I sit down here?

Are these your cows? Is that your dog?

Is your cow sleeping? Can I pet your cow?
Are you going to wake it up?
No, I just want to pet it.
If you wake it up then you have to put it back to sleep.
How will I do that?
Sit it on your lap and rock it. I’m just kidding. Yes, you can pet the cow.

Did she take that other cow to show?
No, she took it to wash it.
Why would she do that?
Because it pooped all over itself.

I could fit that cow in my car, right?

Hi! Where is the closest restroom?

Excuse me. Can you tell me where the goats are?
Right over there (pointing to a really big sign).
Does your cow talk back to you.
No, she usually just poops on me.

Oh, I want to take that home and put it in my house.
You won’t keep it there long.
Why not.
Because it will poop everywhere.

And my favorite . . .

Ooops! (Lots of laughter)
She backs up her motorized wheelchair and takes off, laughing all the way, while we repair the sleeping tent that she plowed into.