Animals take the spotlight at Dodge County Fair

For many fairgoers a fair is not a fair without animals. And at the Dodge County Fair there are animals galore.
FFA and 4-H members will be showing their animals and other Dodge County residents will get into the act with the open classes.
The first event of the fair actually was held last Saturday with the 4-H Dog Show.
Tuesday, July 16, is check-in day at the fair and all livestock need to be in place by 7 p.m.
The fun begins bright and early Wednesday morning, July 17, will the Horse and Poultry Shows starting at 8 a.m.
The rest of the day is also busy with shows as the 4-H Sheep Show starts at 11 a.m. in the Show Arena followed by the FFA Sheep Show. The Rabbit Show follows at 3 p.m.
Dairy shows take the stage on Thursday with the FFA Dairy Show at 8 a.m. followed by the 4-H Dairy Show.
The FFA Beef Show is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. with two 4-H shows rounding up the day. The 4-H Beef Show is at 4:30 p.m. and the 4-H Pet Show at 5:30 p.m.
Friday wraps up the FFA and 4-H shows with the 4-H Swine Show at 8 a.m., the FFA Swine Show following, the FFA Goat Show at 10 a.m. and the 4-H Goat Show at 1 p.m. Friday is also the 4-H Horse Fun Day beginning at 9 a.m. and including the Cloverbud Horse Show.
Open class events gets under way later Friday with the Open Class Beef Show at 6 p.m.
Saturday sees the Open WSCA Horse Show at 8 a.m. and the Open Class Rabbit Show at 9 a.m. and the Open Junior Dairy Show at noon. Supreme Showmanship will be at 4 p.m. Final show of the week is the Open Class Goat Show at 11 a.m. Sunday.
And, of course, there are more animal-related events at the Grandstand.
Wednesday will feature the professional Rice Bull Riding Challenge at 7 p.m. with Mutton Busting during the intermission.
To participate in the Mutton Busting events children must be between 3-10 years of age and may not be more than 55 pounds. Mutton Busting is similar to bronc or bull riding but the children are riding sheep.
Contestants must wear long pants, boots or sturdy shoes and long sleeve shirts are highly recommended. Protective helmets are also required, however, no racing style helmets with a point in front are allowed.
Registration for this event begins at 5 p.m. on Wednesday and will close when there are 10 youngsters registered or the event start time has arrived.