2021 Fair

2021 Logan County Fair Lincoln Daily News July/August 2021 Page 199 by the hind legs and “walk” them like a wheelbarrow. Once caught, the pigs were taken to an enclosure. For the final and most exhilarating part of the evening, 16 kids between the ages of 12 and 18 participated in a calf scramble. This experience seems harrowing as the kids strive to rope a big feisty calf that can weigh up to 350 pounds. As the calves were released from a trailer, Jodlowski led the crowd in chanting three, two, one, scramble. Having participated in scrambles growing up, Jodlowski advised kids to use the wall to help capture the calves. This feat took a lot of strength, skill and determination. In some instances, the calves dragged the kids around the track as they tried to rope them. Since stamina is a challenge as both the kids and calves get worn out as the scramble ensues, the audience was asked to loudly cheer them on. Those who caught a calf keep it to raise for next year’s steer competition. During next year’s scrambles, these kids and their steers will be judged on record keeping, fitting, confirmation and showmanship. Nine of the winners from the last calf scramble brought their cow back to be judged. Before announcing those in the steer competition, Jodlowski introduced Logan County’s Bill Bree, saying he is a legend in the industry. Bree was asked to say a few words before awards were announced. Bree said Logan County’s scrambles are one of the oldest in the United States. He said the kids who raised the steers all did a very good job. In the steer competition, three experienced judges gave separate awards to the top three in record keeping, fitting, confirmation and showmanship. First place in record keeping was Callie Carlton. First place in showmanship was Paige Finchum. First place in both fitting and confirmation was Jacob Lawrence. The overall winner of this year’s steer competition was Jacob Lawrence. Due to the pandemic there were no scrambles held in 2020. However, there was a work- around last year for youth to qualify for a calf to raise. The youth entered an essay contest and calves were given to the winning authors. One judge said these kids worked their tails off. The commitment with the work ethic, responsibility and decision-making skills they learn from raising steers will be life lasting. It is a really special opportunity for those participating. The evening included the awarding of five scholarships and the recognition of three Illinois award winners and several seniors finishing out their many years in 4-H. Also recognized were recently retired Patty Huffer for her 30 years of 4-H service; and John Fulton, who was inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame. The evening’s events were lively and entertaining. Kids watching the event were often wide-eyed with excitement. Adults could be seen on the edge of their seats as the kids scrambled to catch the calves. The cheers of the audience encouraged the kids to work hard to catch the feisty animals.