Fairgoers and 4-Hers flocked to the first competition of the Bartholomew County Fair — the poultry judging.
For many of the exhibitors, the poultry show is a family affair.
“It’s a great family thing and teaches them responsibility,” said parent Joel Burbrink of Columbus, as he sprayed a chicken’s feathers with shining oil.
This was the first year that his daughter, Ava Burbrink, 9, exhibited poultry at the fair. She won the rookie showmanship award at Friday morning’s competition at the fairgrounds.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery
Even though it was Ava Burbrink’s first time showing poultry at the fair, 4-H runs in her family.
Her father said he spent his teen years at the fairgrounds, said that four generations of his family have been 4-Hers.
Ava Burbrink’s brother, Kingen Burbrink, 11, was also on hand to help his sister and said he plans to show his own chickens next year, although his specialty is sheep.
“They do a lot of different things (in 4-H), and that makes them well-rounded,” Joel Burbrink said of his children’s choices for 4-H project.
Ruby McKinney, 9, Hope, was also a first-time exhibitor at the poultry show, coming in third in her division.
She watched as her older brother, Beau McKinney, 17, clipped the claws of one of his chickens.
Ruby McKinney was never far from her brother’s side throughout the morning, and he said he knew that she looks up to him.
“He taught me how to hold the chicken and take them in and out of the cage,” she said.
As a seasoned 4-Her of nine years, Beau McKinney said he knew what the judges were looking for and prepared the chickens carefully for the show.
“My birds have always done well,” he said as he wiped Vaseline onto the chicken’s comb for shine. “I always look forward to the fair.”
Details such as clean feet or sleek feathers make all the difference in shows, according to Doug Akers, one of the judges.
“I judge quite a few shows in Indiana, and this is one of the bigger ones,” he said. “I was really impressed with the birds and how clean they are.”
Although the poultry was high quality, numbers were low this year, said Matt John, leader of the 4-H Poultry Club “Feathered Friends.”
In the Asiatic class, for instance, only one bird was entered.
The champion of that class, Olivia Hoeltke, 17, of Columbus, earned awards in multiple divisions.
Her grandmother, Janice Hoeltke, stood near the gate, holding chickens so that Olivia could swap them out quickly between classes.
“I was a 10-year 4-Her, so it kind of runs in the family,” Janice Hoeltke said.
Much of that family attended the show to cheer on Olivia Hoeltke, including grandparents and cousins.
“It’s nice to have the support and to have an extra hand,” she said, holding a red rooster and hen under each arm.
The Hoeltkes look forward to the fair every year. But it has special significance for Olivia Hoeltke, who explained that finally getting to show her chickens is a reward in itself.
“It’s kind of like a vacation at home, just to be here and see your work pay off,”she said.
Feeding, grooming and cleaning the birds is a year-round commitment for many 4-H families, and the more hands on deck, the better.
For the Sheards, caring for the flock begins before the birds even hatch.
Mindy Sheard of Columbus said that her two daughters incubate the eggs that their show chickens come from for weeks before they hatch.
Apart from helping her daughters bond with the chickens, she explained that caring for the eggs is similar to a science project.
“The education part of it is amazing,” she said.
Education is actually what got the family involved in 4-H in the first place — when Matt John visited Lora Sheard’s fourth grade class with chicks, the girl was inspired to bring one home.
“That’s how our journey began — with one chicken,” Mindy Sheard said, laughing at the memory of her daughter, now 17, arrived home from school with a chick.
Lora Sheard quickly got her younger sister, Faith Sheard, now 14, interested in the fowl. The rest is history.
Now with more than 70 chickens, the family has embraced farm life and even moved from their city home into the country to accommodate the flock.
“The good thing about the poultry (4-H community) is that it is really a family,” Mindy Sheard said. “Everyone cheers for everyone else’s kids. I know if I need something, they’ll be there.”
Being involved in 4-H has given her girls more confidence and a hobby to dedicate their time to, Mindy Sheard said, and changed all of their lives for the better.
“A lot of people don’t understand how this (4-H) changes lives and families,” she said.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Fair schedule” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Today
(Military Appreciation Day, anyone with a military ID may park for free at the fairgrounds)
7 a.m. – 11 a.m. — All species check–in, subject to change pending weather conditions
8 a.m. — 4-H Horse & Pony Western Halter and Performance Show
9 a.m. — Lil’ Wranglers Goat Show and 4-H Goat Show, Pavilion
2–10 p.m. — 4-H Community, Family Arts Buildings, Commercial Buildings open
5–10 p.m. — Midway opens
5–10 p.m. — Lil’ Hands on the Farm opens
5 p.m. — Pedal Tractor Pull, east of Farm Bureau Building. Registration from 3-5 p.m., $2 entry
5–6 p.m. — Let’s Bake a Pie Contest entry registration – Family Arts
6 p.m. — Let’s Bake a Pie Contest – Family Arts Building
7 p.m. — Elvis Impersonator Ron Hobbs – David Boll Theatre
7 p.m. — Blacksmithing Demonstration – Heritage Building
7 p.m. — 4-H Rabbit registration deadline – Community Building
7 p.m. — Demolition Derby, Grandstand
7:30–9 p.m. — Mount Liberty Way – Farm Bureau Building
Sunday
8 a.m. — 4-H Horse & Pony English Halter & Performance Show, Contesting Show will be after 3 p.m.
9 a.m. to noon — Swine weigh-in
12:30 p.m. — Lil’ Wrangler Rabbit Show – Pavilion
1 p.m. — 4-H Rabbit Show – Pavilion
1 p.m. — Columbus FFA Antique Tractor Pull – Grandstand
2 p.m. — Baby Personality Contest – Farm Bureau Building
2–10 p.m. — 4-H Community Building, Family Arts and Commercial buildings open
5 p.m. — Vesper Services – David Boll Theatre
5 p.m. — Midway opens
5–10 p.m. — Lil’ Hands on the Farm opens
6:30 p.m. — Bartholomew County Farm Stock Tractor Pull – Grandstand
7 p.m. — Blacksmithing Demonstration- Heritage Building
[sc:pullout-text-end]
