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I like to enter the fair grounds from Como Avenue and make for the animal barns. After a quick run through the swine barn, Tom and I entered the Cattle Barn. These barns are vast buildings subdivided into small holding pens or stalls (depending on the animals contained).
Most of the animals have been raised from birth to show at the fair. They are accustomed to people and crave attention. They are also used to waiting patiently. Whole families tend the livestock they've brought to the fair. Farm signs announcing the breed and family name are everywhere. Some families create walls of photos showing their farm, lands, and past award winning animals. While all that might be interesting to look at I just like to be near the animals. The above cow was sitting quietly at the end of her row. Just as I finished drawing her a young woman came up. "I hate to interrupt you, but she has to get ready now." And so off the cow went to be judged with other cows in her class. Jersy cows are a beautiful deer and charcoal tan. There is smudging on their faces and their noses are black. They seem smaller in stature than other breeds of cow and give the impression that they could start to frolic at any moment. |
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Illustration © 2003 Roz Stendahl; All Rights Reserved |