The show was set to go all day as fair organizers look to cram what is normally five days worth of shows into just two days because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“I think it’s going really smooth for what’s going on,” said Brian Waddle, fair board member and chair of the swine committee. “Everybody’s wearing their mask, and I’m really pleased with that. I think the cooperation with everybody really worked out.”
Swine session two is scheduled for Tuesday with another marathon session that will also include the final drive for grand champion.
“It’s been interesting, and I think we’re going to learn some things this year by changing that some of these changes are pretty good,” Waddle said.
While most spectators outside wore masks and signs were posted asking only immediate family to use the bleachers, not much was different inside the ring.
Exhibitors (and the exhibits) did not wear masks during the show, but judge Brian Arnold and the showring staff did as they helped pigs in and out of holding pens.
Instead of having someone to hand out ribbons, they were laid out for exhibitors to grab on the way out of the ring, and the judge delivered his post-show reasons for how he placed each class as usual.
COVID pig show: no masks for exhibitors (or exhibits), but the judge and ring workers are wearing them. No one handing out ribbons, and no victory handshake pic.twitter.com/mhqoyivsM3
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) July 26, 2020
“I did some shows pre-COVID and probably early on post-COVID shows, but this is the first since resurgence of the virus with stricter policies,” Arnold said.
“I think the most important thing is everybody’s trying to do, No. 1, what’s socially responsible and trying to keep everyone safe but then secondarily making sure we keep the pigs safe. Keep the pigs comfortable and make sure animal welfare is in check. Altogether from what I can tell it hasn’t slowed the show down. It might look and feel a little different compared to years past, but that’s not the important part. What’s important is giving the kids a chance to show.”
Levi Mefford of the Blue Ribbon Beefers 4-H club confirmed summer has been “pretty strange” with the coronavirus pandemic having eliminated many typical activities, but he was happy to be able to show.
“It felt pretty normal,” said the 9-year-old, who conceded the mask he was wearing outside the ring is “kind of uncomfortable” but agreed precautions to prevent the spread of disease are good.
Another change, though: No post-show handshake between the exhibitor and the judge, something parents typically encourage kids to do to the point it becomes an unconscious habit.
That meant there was a fistbump between Mefford and Arnold instead after Arnold chose Mefford’s 237-pound project the champion gilt, meaning he will be back Wednesday for the final drive.
“They understand the scenario and want to do the right things, too, so it’s been good,” Arnold said.
Madison Butler, a 16-year-old FFA member from Tecumseh High School, was also happy to be able to bring a project to the fair after the disruption COVID-19 began causing in March.
“It’s been really nice to be able to have fair and see my friends,” she said. “It’s been kind of weird. There’s not as many people here so it’s easier to walk around, but it’s not too weird in the showring.”
She confirmed being concerned at times the fair would be canceled, a feeling her father Virgil shared.
“We have a lot of time and expense involved, and we weren’t sure if it was going to happen,” Virgil Butler said. “This is what it’s all about, going to the fair and getting to show. It is a little different. The fair is smaller and condensed, so it really is unique not having the rides and not as many kids and animals here at the same time, but we’re still thankful we get to do it.”
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