By Kathy Gonzales ?letters to the editor
This letter is in response to the article in the April 29 Record-Bee entitled “History and Future Mission: Lake County Fair,” by Richard Persons.
I agree that the livestock show at the Lake County Fair has definitely changed over the decades. Let me give you a little bit of history.
It wasn”t long ago that the Lake County Fair held an open (adult) beef show in the Mather Barn in the evenings. This barn was named after Jack Mather, a Lake County cattleman. We also had an open sheep show and a huge open horse show that drew exhibitors from neighboring counties and lasted well into the night. Now, the empty Mather Barn may house the open dairy goats, if it is not needed for overflow from the junior barn. If this happens, the dairy goats will be moved to the empty horse barn. The open sheep barn was torn down years ago and the open and junior horse show is held two weeks before the fair opens. The Paul Alexander Barn, which recently housed the Open Dairy Goat exhibitors, is now filled with dirt and houses remote-controlled cars. Yes, the livestock show has definitely changed!
Our fair has seen an increase in the number of animals in the Junior Division (4-H and FFA). That increase, in itself, is a testament to the interest our community has in livestock and agriculture. Instead of taking livestock barns out of their intended use, perhaps it is time to welcome more participation in these areas.
Open shows provide a learning environment from professionals in the livestock field from whom the youth learn valuable lessons. Youth exhibitors learn proper grooming techniques, proper handling and the latest feeding programs from the adults. Most of these adult exhibitors are also breeders of their animals. They are in the forefront of where the livestock industry is headed throughout the country.
I believe that the Lake County Fair Board of Directors has given more than adequate support to other interests in our county, such as auto racing, which monopolizes the use of the fairgrounds from April to November. Often, this support comes at the expense of other interests who wish to use the facility.
I am asking the Lake County Fair Board to please rethink the direction they are taking our local county fair. There are many of us in the community who want our hometown county fair back ? a place where we once again can go to visit with friends and fellow members of our community in a peaceful, relaxed environment.
Kathy Gonzales
Lakeport
