New at the fair

By MIKE JAMES
The Independent

COALTON July 21, 2008 11:36 pm

— At first glance it may seem time stands still at the fair.
Carnival rides, barns full of livestock, exhibit cases stuffed with pies and cakes and children sticky with cotton candy are a constant from generation to generation.
Along with those quintessential elements of fair week, the Boyd County Fair has added some new attractions for 2008, including a cornhole tournament, “Guitar Hero” competition and an antique tractor pull.
“Kids are going to be really excited about ‘Guitar Hero,’” said Greg Goode, who will be master of ceremonies.
The competition will include four categories — easy, medium, hard and expert — so there will be four winners. It will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 12 in the Building of Dreams. Preregistration is required but there is no fee.
Goode also will run the cornhole tournament, which will be limited to 32 teams. Goode is an artist in his spare time and cornhole boards are his preferred canvas; he has painted two sets of boards that will be offered as prizes for the tourney.
Cornhole is a pastime whose time has come for the fair, Goode believes. “It’s going big guns everywhere else.”
The tourney will start at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 14 in the motor sports area; up to 32 teams can register at $20 each.
Also new this year is the antique tractor pull. Old-time tractors are well-known one county over, where the Greenup Old Tractors, Engines and Machinery Association is based.
GOTEM’s tractors will chug on over to Boyd County at 7 p.m. Aug. 15 for the pull, which will be an exhibition, not a competition.
There are some innovations in the animal competitions this year.
One is the working goat show at 2 p.m. Aug. 16. The show will feature Boer goats, a larger breed originating in South Africa, said Rick Spears, who raises them.
The goats are large enough to be used as pack and cart animals and also are a preferred meat source for some ethnic groups.
“They’ve got a lot more commercial potential,” Spears said. Also, the goats are voracious and omnivorous eaters, capable of thriving on weeds and brush, including such nuisance plants as kudzu and multiflora rose.
The rugged, hilly Appalachian terrain is ideal for the breed, he said. “Boyd County is a great place to raise goats.”
The goat shows will take place Aug. 16.
In other livestock categories, a change in showmanship competition will place more emphasis on preparing the animal for the show ring, said fair board member John McGlone.
In contrast to the stock shows, which focus on the animals, showmanship places the spotlight on the exhibitors, who are judged on their ability to handle their animals and their knowledge about livestock care.
This year, in addition to assessing performance in the show ring, showmanship judges will observe exhibitors while they wash and groom their animals in the barn, McGlone said.
The scrutiny will give exhibitors more credit for the steps they take to care for their animals. “Our shows are focused on responsibility,” he said.
A full schedule of fair activities can be found at www.boydcountyfair.com.
MIKE JAMES can be reached at mjames@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2652.