While many youths in Manitowoc County visit the fair for the food and rides, many are there to show off their hard work.
The SeehaferNews.com opening day began this morning with swine judging, including those raised by Makayla Staudinger.
The 16-year-old has been showing swine at the fair since she was 8-years-old, a task she said is a lot of work.
“Months before we walk them every day, wash them every day, tame them down, and make sure they trust us before we get in there,” she explained. “A couple hours before they get fed and we like to clip them and we will make them shiny with water on their backs. That also keeps them cool when they are in the ring working.”
Makayla tells Seehafer News that there are two parts to showing a pig at the fair that she sees as the hardest.
“Saying goodbye after the summer and training is a process,” she said. “You need to be a team with your pig in that ring. It’s not a kid walking a pig. It’s a kid and a pig together walking. It takes a long time to build that bond of trust between your pig and you.”
The Staudinger family is showing six pigs this year between Maykayla and her brother and sister, but they have twelve on their farm.
Makayla tells us she is “excited” that the fair is back and that the fair has shown her “how hard work pays off.”
Click here to see the full fair schedule for Wednesday.
