GREENFIELD — Savannah Albert, decked out in Minnie Mouse ears, walked around the show ring with her shih tzu/bichon mix dog, Sally.
Albert, just a year old, had some help during the Hancock County 4-H Fair pet parade. Mom Kaele Albert watched with pride as her youngest teetered around the ring.
The annual pet parade, one of the traditions of the Hancock County 4-H Fair, gives some of the county’s youngest residents an opportunity to get a taste of the 4-H experience: participants plan their costume, what their pet wears, and what is said or played over the loudspeaker while they’re in the show ring. They meet briefly with the judges to answer questions about their pets, which included dogs, horses, heifers and a duck this year. Some 15 youngsters participated in the pet parade this year, conducted Saturday at the Hancock County 4-H Fairgrounds, 620 Apple St.
The pet parade grand champion ribbon went to Lane Bassett, the son of Dusty and Brittany Bassett. Lane led his alpaca around the ring with the animal dressed as a pinata.
The 7-year-old wore a sombrero, poncho and a mustache, and a poem about his alpaca was read while he exhibited.
The 2018 Hancock County 4-H Fair Queen, Savannah Coe, and court members Gracie Johnson, Delaney Melton and Madison Kendrick, presided over the event and doled out treat bags and participation ribbons to the participants, who ranged in age from babies in strollers to second-graders.
The entrants showed their creativity through their costumes and the theme they chose. Braylynn Doerflein, in the 4-5 age group, rode her horse, which was bedecked in fishing gear while “Fishin’ in the Dark” by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band played over the loudspeaker.
Seven-year-old Carly Lowes led her heifer, Pumpkin, around the ring. The cow wore a headpiece that looked like a pumpkin stem.
Danielle Hunt, a 10-year 4-H’er, announced the participants while three judges, including a local agriculture teacher and a member of the Hancock County Extension Homemakers, did their best to determine the winners of each age category.
Sarah Williams, who teaches agriculture at Eastern Hancock High School, participated as a judge for the first time this year.
It was challenging to pick a winner, Williams said; the costumes and themes were creative and cute.
Winner Lane Bassett’s idea to dress his alpaca up like a pinata was original and creative, she said.
“He sold his character very well,” she said.
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Grand Champion
Lane Bassett, 7, and alpaca “Pinata.”
Age 3 and younger, first place:
Savannah Albert
Age 4 and 5, first place:
Braylynn Doerflein
Kindergarten to second grade, first place:
Lane Bassett
06262018dr pet parade
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