Kids and their parents and guardians turned out in droves for Kids Day at the Marion County Fair on Monday.
Ag in the Classroom teacher Meggan Heistand says 852 kids and around 500 adults were at the fairgrounds for the many free activities sponsored by 40 businesses and organizations. She is very pleased with the turnout and feels this is a great event to give kids a taste of farm life. Heistand was pleased to see all the smiling faces and several smeared with the free chocolate ice cream. She adds that makes all the months of work worth it.
3-year-old Quinn Mansker gets help milking an Alpine Goat from Adalynn Rose. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Several baby chicks were on display. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Learning the ropes of calf roping. In front, 8-year-old Kyler Lepes of Salem works with Allen Barksdale and 11-year-old Elias Gowler of Mt. Vernon receives assistance from Ty Gordon. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
4-year-old Henley Smith of Salem learns the art of butter churning from Dawn Swenson. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
University of Illinois Extension works with kids on a butterfly garden. Holding sign is Aubrey Beezhold and working beside her is Nicholas Beezhold. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
The Lander’s Texas Longhorn visited Kids Day and attracted a lot of attention.
Fair Queen Delaney Kell helps serve lunch. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Kids waited in line to look inside the Salem Police car and turn on the siren. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Marion County 4H members used some of their animals for a petting zoo. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
