FARMINGTON — Members of a new 4-H dog club, K-9 Connection, will demonstrate the work they’ve done at a dog show Sunday at Farmington Fair.

The show will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, in Worthley Arena, said Judy Smith, 4-H program aide and a University of Maine Cooperative Extension community education assistant.

Members will show their work on dog obedience, agility and showmanship with various breeds, she said.

This year’s dog show will be small, as it’s a small club with about a half-dozen members.

The club was organized in January. It is led by Joy Essman of Wilton with help from assistant leaders Layna Essman and Penny Brackett, she said.

Despite its size, the group is quite active. Members are learning about how to take care of animals, working dogs and the different traits of various breeds.

Most members are preteens or older. One member has already left for college, she said.

There are not many 4-H dog clubs in the state, but some fairs hold dog shows, including Cumberland and Bangor, Smith said.

She watched one member show a Cairn terrier at the Bangor Fair this year. 

“It was pretty impressive,” she said. “She thought it might be good to do something here.”

It will probably be small until word gets out, she added. Dogs are a popular and easy project for 4-H members. 

Aside from the new 4-H activity at the fair, a program that made its debut last year returns and is likely to entertain, Smith said. A lot of kids liked it last year.

A Mutton Bustin’ contest is planned for 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, in the pulling ring.

The contest is for ages 7 and 8, Smith previously said. She is helping with the event, but it is not a 4-H activity.

Popular in the west and at several Maine fairs in recent years, children suit up with helmets and safety equipment to ride some large sheep a distance, she said.

“It draws a crowd at other fairs,” she added.

abryant@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link