Everybody loves a fair, especially a little body.

Friday, August 06, 1999

Everybody loves a fair, especially a little body. One-hundred forty-three little bodies, along with 35 adult chaperones, took in the fair Wednesday. It was the Albert Lea Community Child Care Center’s annual trip to the Freeborn County Fair. The two-hour visit to the fair was sponsored by the Fair Board.

Climbing off the bus at the Richway Drive, the first stop for many is the FFA Kiddie Barnyard, a building which also houses the 4-H rabbit projects.

At 9 a.m., the barnyard is quiet. At this time of day, the puppies and kittens doze, resting up for busier times when they’ll be picked up, hugged and petted -&160;repeatedly. Teacher Jane Anthony scoops up a baby chick which the children gently pet. They squeal with delight at the sight of the miniature horses and goats. A few unsuspecting bunnies get their cottontails stroked.

It’s on to see the cows. &uot;Peww! What’s that smell?&uot; they exclaim.

&uot;Hey,&uot; says one, pointing to a brown Jersey. &uot;I know what kind of cow that is. It gives chocolate milk!&uot;

Moving on past the Holsteins, the same little girl exclaims, &uot;Those are the ones who give white milk.&uot;

Chad Elmer and Andrea Harpestad are kind enough to pull a Holstein calf out for the children to pet. The calf stands patiently while she’s stroked.

On to the sheep and goats. Molly Wagner and her dad, Alvin, have a goat waiting for the kids. They show them how to milk her. Some give it a try, and a few even get some squirts of milk in the pail.

Back in the yard, freshly bathed horses trot by. The children marvel at the sheer size of the animals, looking up, up, up. In the horse barn, other large draft horses stand ready for the afternoon show, ribbons in their tails.

&uot;I really like that ribbon!&uot; one little girl says of a particularly bright red-and-yellow ribbon.

By this time, the children are getting thirsty. A walk down to the drinking fountain is a big hit. Several kids can drink at once.

After a snack in the shade, they stroll through the 4-H, Floral Hall and Commercial buildings. The fair is a treasure trove for kids. They come away with pencils and helium balloons. &uot;Thank you!&uot; they shout in unison.

Under the grandstand, an ALCCCC mother working a booth anticipates their arrival and has suckers waiting. She’s very popular.

On machinery hill, the kids climb aboard the displayed lawn tractors and full size tractors. Someday, when they can drive …

The two hours have nearly passed, but the group still needs to see the pigs. The 4-H Swine Show is going on, but the children are content to view the pigs from the doorway.

&uot;Oink, oink,&uot; they repeat to the hogs.

Back on the bus, they talk about their favorite sights at the fair.

&uot;The bunnies,&uot; says one girl.

&uot;The cows,&uot; another says.

&uot;Horses,&uot; one boy says.

&uot;The children,&uot; say the adults.

&uot;We had a really good time,&uot; Kristin Houg, ALCCCC’s director, sums up.