Animals star at Farmington Fair

FARMINGTON — Recently born goats, Freedom, a black Pygmy, and Liberty, a light brown one, have been the biggest attractions for Farmington fair-goers visiting Lane's Barnyard animals this week, said Melinda Lane of New Vineyard.

Liberty, born Sept. 16, couldn't wake for a photo as Lane bent down Thursday to pat the frisky, only-slightly-older, Freedom.

The Lanes are celebrating their 20th year of providing a variety of barnyard animals for people to pet, feed and enjoy. From donkeys to ducks, the two new baby goats have been the stars this week, she said.

At the other end of the animal shed, yearling ewes were up for judging early Thursday afternoon.

Taylor Rathbun of Ewe Turn Farm in Auburn showed her yearlings with the help of Bentley Rathbun and Jaime Corbett of Farmington. Neatly trimmed and cleaned, the animals quickly earned a first and second from the judge.

With the warmth of the sun making drops of water glisten on their backs, work horses Dan, age 21, and Rowdy, age 8, received a wash-down from owner Robert Cross.

The pair had earned a second in the 2,900-pound pulling class Thursday.

"Rowdy is like a big dog," said Cross of Cross and Sharp Farm in New Hampshire, who said he likes to participate because it's a dying sport.

His father always used horses to log at home and it's always nice to hitch them up for spring rides or just a quick ride around town, he said.

"Despite the $100 cost per horse per month, not counting shoeing, it's nice after a long day to come home and work with the pair who enjoy all the attention you'll give them," he said.

Although the midway didn't open till midafternoon, people were gathering to listen to the music of Jim Palmer, watch horse pulling, sheep judging and pari-mutuel racing. As the sounds of country western tunes filtered through the air, the aroma of tasty fair treats drew fair-goers to indulge as they enjoyed the fifth straight day of good weather for Farmington Fair.

abryant@sunjournal.com