Ag Expo concessionaires sell mounds of tasty treats

July 26, 2006|by ERIN JULIUS

SHARPSBURG - Ag Expo visitors have devoured more than 80 pounds of mozzarella cheesesticks this week, said Robbie Sigler of Valley Concessions.

The cheesesticks are the must-have food this year, and sweet tea is the most popular beverage, Sigler said.

Burgers and country-fried ham are also perpetual favorites, he said.

"Farmers like good old country ham," said Sigler, who has been selling concessions in the area for 11 years.

Steers readied for their closeup

Tiffany Bowman, 11, and Ryan Burcker, 12, washed and brushed their steers Tuesday afternoon in preparation for that night's Beef Showmanship and Market Steer Show at the Washington County Ag Expo.

At the faucets behind the main show ring, cows were scrubbed clean. Throughout the livestock barn, people blow-dried, trimmed, brushed and sprayed the steers. The spray makes their hair stay up and makes the steers look better, Burcker said.

Even before the Ag Expo, the steers were prepared for Tuesday night's show.

"They have two weeks with the show sticks. We walk them around so they can get used to it," Bowman said.

The show sticks are long rods with a small, blunt hook and are used to guide and calm the steers during shows, Burcker said.

Lull in the action is a time to relax

Old men and young boys, teenage girls and their mothers lounged about Tuesday afternoon at the Ag Expo. Some had nodded off in camp chairs and some stretched out on swings.

Hannah House, 14, her sister Rachel, 12, and their friend Emily Myers, 17, sat in the shade of a barn near their sheep. Each of the girls entered two sheep in the Ag Expo. In the showmanship competition, Rachel House placed first in the Intermediate class, and Hannah House placed third.

Contestants are judged on "how well you show the lamb and how well the lamb responds to you," Myers said.

Today's Ag Expo schedule

10 a.m. - 4-H/FFA tractor driving contest

10 a.m. - 4-H/FFA beef heifer show and open-class beef cattle show at main show ring, Building No. 3

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Activities at Ag Ventures and Birthing Center

5:30 p.m. - Milking demonstration at milking parlor

6 p.m. - 4-H/FFA market lamb show followed by 4-H/FFA Jr./Sr. shepherd and 4-H/FFA and open-class shepherd's lead at main show ring

7:30 p.m. - Tractor and truck pull at track

8 p.m. - Pretty animal contest at main show ring, Building No. 3

Admission costs $2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; $10 from 3 p.m. to closing; children 8 and younger are admitted free.

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