The 2018 Warren County Fair opened Tuesday, July 3, with a busy livestock barn.Food stands are open as well as carnival rides and games. A few product and service vendors line the walkway.The theme this year is “Barn in the USA.”The president of the Warren County Fair Board, Paul Owenby, wrote in a letter in the Fair guide:“The Warren County Fair is more than ‘just a Fair.’ It is a platform to cultivate growth and opportunity for the next generation of community leaders. Our activities promote positive youth development, entrepreneurship and community leadership.”Members of 4-H clubs and FFA who raise animals for food or breeding brought them to the Fair for judging and competition. On Thursday evening, July 5, grand champion winners will receive their trophies and some of the animals will be auctioned.Emery Payne, 12, is a first-time participant in the livestock competition. She started with a female rabbit who had eight babies in April.“It’s fun to watch them grow up, but it takes a lot of work to take care of them,” Emery said. “They poop a lot . . .They can’t sweat or pant, so you have to keep them cooled off or they’ll die.”She isn’t keeping all the rabbits. Her mom said they don’t have the space, so they must go.One of the things Emery learned is that they each have their own personalities. Some are more pleasant then others.“Some of them, I’ll be sad about (losing), but other ones, not so much,” she said.Darrin Bruno, of Wright City, is raising goats with his daughter Raelee. Bruno said people tend to look at animals two ways: as pets or as farm animals.He has a farm background. His daughter, though, tends to see her animals as pets. He said she might have a hard time letting go, so they might be keeping her goat.The livestock barn is filled with several types of animals — rabbits, goats, chickens, ducks, a turkey, a pig and cattle.Bernie the cow stands out in the livestock area. Her coat is a light golden color. Her handler, Madison Dent, 11, points out Bernie’s color is different and she is smaller than the others.Bernie was born in March of 2017. Bernie’s dad was a Coat of Gold, Madison said. Madison got her as a calf.“It’s a lot of work and a great learning experience,” Madison said. “All the work comes to a great end.”Bernie’s future is already planned.“She’s going to be a momma,” Madison said.Saturday is the last day of the 2018 Warren County Fair.

Emery Payne, 12, with her rabbit George at the Warren County Fair Tuesday, July 3. She is a member of Camp Branch 4-H Club. Emery has been handling George since he was born April 28 with seven other babies that looked just like him. Emery said, "They don't look different but they act different once you get to know them." 

Record photo/Kate Miller