52 years later the Fallbrook Youth Fair still rocks!

It was the perfect weekend for the Fallbrook Youth Fair -- overcast skies and cool temps. Two years ago on the fair’s 50th Anniversary the temperature soared to 89 degrees, which made it a bit uncomfortable for the FFA and 4-H members in uniform not to mention the ‘wool class’ sheep with their heavy coats!

The Optimist-sponsored event was held Saturday and Sunday May 19 and 20 at the Fallbrook Union High School Ag Department. Due to the cooler temps, the participants were able to energetically prepare their animals for show. Cattle, sheep, goats, swine and chickens were shown by eager youth -- some as young as age six.

The Youth Fair gives FFA and 4-H members a chance to polish their showmanship skills before participating in the San Diego County Fair. For some participants, however, the Fallbrook Youth Fair is the zenith of their year as they have chosen not to go on to Del Mar.

To see the determination in the eyes of the FFA and 4-H competitors was worth the visit. The youth value the experience gained from the competition as well as the advice given by the judges. The competition is just the icing on the cake. The cake has to be baked first, and depending on their animal it could take an entire year or more of labor to get to the point where they are ready to show.

On Saturday and Sunday the grounds of the Ag Department were bustling with busy FFA and 4-H members preparing their animals for competition. Kayla Clift was vigorously drying a sheep belonging to Kasey Philley. Kayla said with a smile that she uses ‘Woolite’ as shampoo!

Jules Duffin, who is the 2007-2008 president of Fallbrook FFA, used ‘Head and Shoulders’ to shampoo her massive steer’s fine hair to give it a shiny coat. She then blew him dry with what looked like a ‘Dust Buster.’

It was fascinating to watch the young group of six and seven year olds show their chickens. It is difficult enough for an adult to try to keep a chicken from running or flying off, but it is really an accomplishment for a young child. The little show-men and show-women listened in rapt attention to the judge who gave them valuable advice. The Chicken Showmanship competition consisted of questions about their birds including breed, anatomy and other facts. Each competitor was asked to put their chicken in the cage, then take it out and walk it down the length of the table. A device that looks like an old-fashioned car antenna was used to gently guide the chickens down the table. When I was six years old I don’t think I knew how to make my own bed, so, in my opinion, this is an amazing accomplishment for these young children.

If you arrived at the fair between 7:30 and 10:30 a.m. you could smell the delicious scent of pancakes. A Pancake Breakfast was hosted by the Fallbrook 4-H Relay For Life team both mornings. Later in the day other good scents swirled about the grounds as barbequed prime rib sandwiches, hamburgers and tri-tip lunches were cooked and consumed at a fevered pace.

Sponsored by the 4-H Swine Group, the annual ‘Kiss the Pig’ contest provided comic relief to the serious competition. This event will benefit the 4-H Swine group when they exhibit their projects at the San Diego County Fair, and is the only competition at the fair where contestants can buy their way to a blue ribbon! Every year a different theme is used and this year’s theme was ‘restaurant owners.’ In the past Fallbrook residents have seen teachers and pastors vie for the coveted title. The fortunate ‘Kiss the Pig’ winners this year were Alan Bonguro of Sweet Leilani’s, and Dave Odom of the Fallbrook Café, who tied for first place.

No article on the Fallbrook Youth Fair would be complete without mentioning Harold Burchett. This weekend Burchett was sitting in his chair, watching the flurry of activity, and probably reminiscing a bit. He is a charter member of the Optimist Club and the founding father of the Fallbrook Youth Fair. Fifty-two years ago, Burchett wanted to give 4-H members a chance to hone their skills in the show ring and thus gain valuable experience to help them excel at the county fair livestock competitions. Over half a century later 4-H and FFA members are still gaining valuable insights into showmanship and winning blue ribbons, not only at the Youth Fair, but at the San Diego County Fair, due in part to this one man’s foresight.