Soon Washington County Fair in Oregon rolled around and it was time for Sam and Sophie to take their 4-H pigs to be shown and auctioned. Off I went to Pebble Creek to join in on the fun. I arrived Thursday afternoon and was directed to the tree house where my sleeping quarters awaited me. I was so pleased as I love sleeping there in the cool, among the trees. At night the trees creak and groan making me think how it must have sounded in the olden days in the bowls of wooden ships at sea. At first the noise was unsettling but then became comforting and before I knew it, morning had broken.
Friday morning 4-H and FFA kids head to the fair to take care of their animals, feeding them and cleaning them up. A wonderful free breakfast was offered for those kids and their families before the showing of their animals, which started around ten o’clock. Sophie and Sam’s other grandparents came to the showing as well. It was great fun watching the excited kids show their animals to prospective buyers.
The breakfast was amazing considering they had lots of people to feed. Sam, Sophie, Jeannette and I ate there.
Nanna and Papa, Paul and Carolyn Anderson, were able to attend the showing. It was great seeing them again.
Taking animals to the Fair is a testimony to young people’s patience. There is a lot of keeping their animals content while waiting around for their turn to show their animals. Then, finally The Showing.
Sam’s turn
Jason came from work to view the showing. Afterward he and I went for a quick lunch as he had to get back to work and I drove back to Pebble Creek. Jeannette and the kids spent the rest of the day there.
THE AUCTION: The animals were sold Saturday evening around 6:30. Sam, Sophie, and Jeannette spent the entire day at the Fair taking care of the animals. Jason and I had Saturday to ourselves. We took the dogs for a hike in the woods west of Pebble Creek. The coast mountains are very different from the mountains where I live. They are a lot more bunched up and the vegetation is by far more dense and lush.
We went to the Fair early to see the sights. We met up with the others and had our dinner together. It was a beautiful day, very comfortable. Some years it is so hot I don’t go. Soon it was auction time. Both Sam and Sophie did very well selling their pigs at ten dollars a pound. The event is a great experience all around. Fair is a hard job for those kids bringing animals. They needed to be there every day for nearly a week. The parents have a great responsibility as well. Jeannette was on call full time. Fair time is a family affair. I am pleased to have been invited.
AUCTION TIME: Sam went first and Sophie shortly after. Some man we didn’t know bought both their pigs almost immediately. It was very quick and then over. Sam and Sophie each shook the man’s hand and gave him certificates of gratitude.
