FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — After many counties had to cancel last year, fair season is finally here! For many families, it’s a week they’ve spent quite a bit of time preparing for.
Livestock competitions are a huge part of the fair and are a majority of the week's events. Kids show sheep, cows, bunnies, chickens and pigs.
Lizzie Maybery has been showing for 9 years and it runs in the family. Her dad also competed at the Washington County Fair growing up and now she shows alongside her two sisters.
She says to her, showing is very special because it’s a family event, and it’s taught her important life lessons, especially as they all spend about eight hours a day in the barn taking care of their animals.
For grand champion Chloe Maybery, showing livestock is a family event.
According to Maybery, she spends six to eight hours a day in the barn with her pigs where they feed, wash, walk and clean to prepare for showtime.
“Showing has really just taught me that nothing really comes easy and you always have to work for what you want," Chloe said. "I’ve been doing this 14 years and I don’t win all the time and it really teaches you that to win and lose the right way and that you always have to work hard for what you want."
According to Lizzie, that’s why as sisters they help each other stay focused and continue to compete and show pigs.
“Hard work really does pay off in the end when you’re out in the show rink,” she said.
The fair giving kids the opportunity to rack up some prizes.
Jordan Filmore and her bunny took home first place but to her, showing is more than just a trophy.
“Bunnies have inspired me, to be a better person sometimes,” Filmore said. “They be better people, better bunnies to other bunnies."
The fair will run through the rest of the weekend ending on Saturday, Aug. 28.