A pet show exhibitor at the Overbrook Osage County Fair, held Aug. 14, 2021, explains how she cares for her pet chicken. Michael Turner photo.
By Pet Show Superintendent Marty Young
The last show of the Overbrook Osage County Fair was held Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, at the Overbrook Fairgrounds show arena. Twenty-one children participated in the show, 11 enrolled in 4-H and 10 in the open class. A wide variety of pets were on display, including dogs, cats, guinea pigs, hamsters, goats, chickens, fish, even a hermit crab and a miniature donkey. An awards ceremony was held after the show. All of the children were awarded ribbons and refreshments were served.
The pet show at the Overbrook Osage County Fair has steadily increased in popularity over the last few years. This year was by far the biggest show in recent history. The 4-H Pet Project provides an opportunity for younger children to gain experience in areas such as public speaking, project learning, leadership, and confidence-building, all while having fun.
Cole Thompson has been in 4-H for eight years and is a member of Willing Workers 4-H Club, in which he held the position of junior president
Willing Workers 4-H Club member Kevin Whitmer has been in 4-H for five years. He holds the office of treasurer. His projects include entomology, foods and nutrition, poultry, rocketry, and horticulture.
My name is Paige Thielen, a member of the Willing Workers 4-H Club. This was my first year in 4-H. I had a fun year because I was able to take a pig and I love pigs. This is a picture of pig named “Pig.” He got reserve grand champion market hog at the Overbrook fair. I baked cookies and got a purple. I was the recreation officer this year for my club. It was a great year.
Karley Lowry, member of Burlingame 4-H Club, has been in 4-H for two years. Her fair projects have included horse, beef, poultry, goats, bucket calf, pet, cooking. She serves as treasurer of her 4-H club.
Katie Lowry is a six-year member of 4-H and in the Burlingame 4-H Club, where she holds the office of president.
My name is Allison Reeser, and I’m a member of the Melvern Jr. Highline 4-H Club. This is my seventh year in 4-H and my third year in horticulture. Horticulture is a critical project for me to take and learn from because I want to become a genetic botanist. In my horticulture project, I have learned many skills that will help me with my future plans, such as how to prune a plant or flower, clean your herbs before using them, and dry and store herbs for the winter properly.
It all started in April of 2017; my mom and dad gave me six chickens for my seventh birthday. My dad built a pen for them, and my sister and I learned how to take care of chickens. So when October 2017 rolled around, and I finally got to be in 4-H, chickens was one project I wanted to be in! My sister and I feed, water, and tend to my chickens (and her ducks) every day.
Mya Montgomery is a two-year Cloverbud 4-H member in Burlingame 4-H Club. Projects she has taken to the fair include her bucket calf, and poultry and baking.
Hailey Montgomery has been in 4-H for four years, and is a member of Burlingame 4-H Club. Projects she has taken to the fair include horses, breeding heifers, bucket calf, poultry, and baking. Hailey’s favorite 4-H activity this year was showing horses and her heifer, Candy, at the fair. Her best 4-H memory or experience this year was winning reserve grand champion poultry at the Overbrook Fair with her hen.
Braelyn McNally is a five-year 4-H member and serves as president of Melvern Jr. Highline 4-H Club and secretary of the 4-H council. Her fair projects have included beef, clothing buymanship, foods and nutrition, and meat goats.
Gradey McNally, Melvern Jr. Highline 4-H Club member, has been in 4-H for three years. Projects he has taken to the fair include beef, clothing buymanship, foods and nutrition, and meat goat. He has served as his club’s recreation leader.
Levi Arb, a three-year member of 4-H, is in Melvern Jr. Highline 4-H Club, where he holds the office of recreation leader. His projects taken to the fair included a hat rack made with a live-edge hackberry slab and deer antlers.
Anna Arb is a Cloverbud member of Melvern Jr. Highline 4-H Club, and has been in the club for over a year. Clothing construction was her Cloverbud project at the fair this year.
My name is Allie Kneisler and I just finished my sixth year of 4-H. I am a member of the Lyndon Leaders 4-H Club and the club president. I am also the treasurer for the 4-H council. I really enjoy 4-H and have learned a lot in the last six years.
My name is Ethan Kneisler and this is my seventh year in 4-H. I am the president of the Osage County 4-H council and the treasurer of the Lyndon Leaders 4-H Club. I am also one of your Osage County Fair ambassadors. I really enjoy being an ambassador.
Tyler Williams is a member of the Lyndon Leaders 4-H Club. The projects he took to the fair this year were bucket calf, swine, and visual arts.
Carson Horne is a member of Lyndon Leaders 4-H Club. Projects Carson has taken to the fair include his market goat, and showing his goat was his favorite 4-H activity of the year. His best 4-H memories and experience was going to the fair and hanging out with his friends.
