Shows on Wednesday included dairy, goat and sheep throughout the day. Earlier in the week there were hog and chicken shows.

“We’re very excited to be back,” said Logan Ellsworth of Panama, who showed hogs with his family. “I really love being able to do shows with my pigs.”

His brother, Landen, got reserve champion with his blue pig for his weight class in the pig show. “I really like walking my pigs,” he said. “The fair teaches us how pigs work, how they’re supposed to look and what’s different between them.”

For the 4-H participants, the fair is their main summer event.

Esther Knappenberger of Westfield is pictured with one of her Guernsey cows.

“It’s fun and we get to help people, which is one of the main reasons I am also a Junior Superintendent this year,” Logan Ellsworth said.

In the sheep barn, Lu and Ida Jones of Sherman enjoyed showing their animals as well, and received grand champion in the Shropshire breed with their sheep.

Esther Knappenberger of Westfield was excited to return to the fair, as she was also not able to participate in the 4-H “UnFair” event last year because of a broken foot.

“So, I really haven’t been here for two years,” Knappenberger said. “One of my favorite parts, though, has to be the time after the show day is done and we’re all excited about what we got. We’re also very tired, but ready to get going for the next show day.”

Knappenberger said she likes being part of the dairy program, of which she is also a Junior Superintendent in the dairy barn this year, because of the uniqueness of her cows.

Logan Ellsworth of Panama with his show pig at the Chautauqua County Fair.

“Guernseys are very unique,” Knappenberger said. “You can’t find them really everywhere, and they’re really nice when you get to know them.”

Knappenberger said the fair is extremely important to her because it is the one time of year that people come together and because of the bonds that form between the kids throughout the year.

The Knappenberger family Guernsey cows received Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion of the breed in the Dairy Open Class Show on Wednesday.

In the rabbit program, Lexus Eschenbach of Sherman likes to be able to display her rabbit along with the posters that she makes that discuss rabbit genetics.

“I just think it’s fun,” Eschenbach said. “I like to get to see the other animals as well and the other exhibits.”

Landen Ellsworth of Panama with his blue show pig, that received Reserve Grand Champion in his weight class.

Kendall Eckman of Frewsburg showed her chickens. She said the fair allows her to hang out with her friends and their animals.

“I like showing because it’s good to know that I have good animals,” Eckman said. “It also helps me to raise money for college.”

Genevieve Smith of Mayville also shows chickens during the fair, and was extra excited because the poultry program almost didn’t happen because of the Avian Influenza.

“Showing gives me a sense of confidence and makes my parents proud,” Smith said. “It shows me that my hard work pays off and teaches children to be respectful. It’s also fun and allows us all to form new friendships that grow throughout our years here.”

The Chautauqua County Fair continues through Sunday.

A Holstein dairy cow class enters the ring during the dairy Open Class show on Wednesday.

Genevieve Smith of Mayville is pictured with her Cochin Banta Chicken.

The Senior Guernsey Class enters the ring during the Open Class Dairy Show on Wednesday afternoon

OBSERVER Photos by Sara Holthouse Kendall Eckman of Frewsburg is pictured with her chicken in the rabbit/poultry barn.