Guest Post-Katie Miller

Katie Miller of Cambridge has written a guest post about her experience showing cattle:

Katie Miller will show three heifers and a cow/calf pair
at this years Henry County Fair

Cattle have always interested me and have become my 

passion. My grandparents have a herd of commercial cows. They were my inspiration for becoming involved in the beef industry. My grandparents help me with my cattle and teach me many valuable lessons needed in order to raise my cattle. They helped me start my showing career by purchasing me my first bucket calf, Pandi, for 4-H. I had a great experience with Pandi that I decided I would continue showing bucket calves and someday steers and heifers. I have shown steers and heifers for 4 years now and enjoy every minute of it! We go to shows across Illinois. This year I have 3 heifers and a cow/calf pair to show.

Being involved in the beef industry has given me many opportunities. I served as a Henry County Beef Ambassador and worked to promote our county association and the industry. I also will be attending the IBA EDGE conference which will teach me how to advocate for the industry and ways to be more involved.

I have been busy preparing for the fair for months! I have walked and washed my calves many times to prepare them for the shows. It is a lot of work, but I truly enjoy every minute of it!

Volley for Alpha 1

If you and your friends like to play volleyball for a good cause, form a team and sign up for the Henry County Fair's 4th Annual Volley for Alpha-1 on Saturday June 28th at 1 p.m. in the infield. A team can consist of six people and it is optional to bring two substitutes. The entry fee is $120 per team, which also includes the cost of shirts for all of the team members and the winning team will win trophies for each member.

Mail all entries to 408 N. Main St. Cambridge, IL 61238. Entry deadlines are Sunday, June 1st.

All of the proceeds will be donated to the Alpha-1 Association, which provides awareness and education of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, which is a genetic condition that can cause liver disease in children and lung and/or liver disease in adults. More information on Alpha -1 can be found at https://www.alpha1.org/  

Beyond The Midway

The winter midway at the Henry County Fair along
 with the grandstand (right) and art hall (left)

What comes to mind you think about a county fair? Corn dogs, queen pageants and carnival rides perhaps? But a county fair is more than just that, it's about the meaning of agriculture and its importance. The purpose of this blog is to reveal the "hidden treasures" that make up the fair, beyond the mid-way. This blog will cover topics such as the people, the exhibits, the art hall, the livestock barns and events that define a county fair.

As for myself, I have many fond memories of the Henry County Fair. When I was little I would ride as many carnival rides as I could handle. When I was older and in 4-H I showed art projects and worked the 4-H food stand.  I was also a Henry County Beef Ambassador and handed out ribbons to the many award winning cattle. I hope to communicate the importance of the county fair to friends I have from the city who seem very puzzled by this whole phenomenon. My goal of this blog is to attract people who normally don't attend the fair and to get people aware and excited for it. Another thing I hope this blog accomplishes is to get more people to exhibit and inspire others to actively participate and attend county fairs.