Last week’s Addison County Fair and Field Days was filled with a thousand little stories — more than can be recounted in one newspaper. Lucien Paquette, the fair’s father figure, was there (see story here), as were thousands of vendors, competitors and families. We present here a few snapshots from the fairgrounds to give you a taste of the 66th annual Field Days.
NEW HAVEN — Punctuating the murmur of shuffling hooves and bleating goats, a visitor to the Children’s Barnyard at the Addison County Fair and Field Days hears one plaintive phrase time and time again:
“Mom, can we get one?”
The Children’s Barnyard has long enchanted children and adults alike with the featured animals, including calves, miniature horses, pigs and ducks.
“The baby bunnies have been a hit this year,” reported Amy Goodyear of Brandon, who was in charge of organizing the popular exhibition.
Among the crowd assembled at the baby bunny cage on Thursday was six-year-old William Gustin of Monkton. Despite an enjoyable experience feeding and playing with the goats, Gustin’s loyalty was unwavering.
“I really want a bunny,” Gustin said.
Other barnyard attractions this year included a jovial pig paraded around on a leash and a one-legged chicken — a frostbite survivor.
Goodyear said that while most exhibitors are under the age of 18, others have a long tradition of exhibiting at the Children’s Barnyard.
Barbara and Jim Amblo of Tarry-Ho Miniature Horses in Charlotte have come for the past 38 years with their animals, which are named after Snow White and the seven dwarves.
“They’re very gentle,” said Barbara Amblo of the miniature horses. “They’re a big draw.”
In addition to driving the miniature horses in a six-horse hitch pulling a miniature wagon, the Amblos allow visitors to pet the animals and feed them snacks.
“They say it’s a labor of love, but it feels more like labor than love sometimes,” Jim Amblo said with a laugh in regard to the large amount of work that goes into making the Children’s Barnyard exhibition a success.
“We love it here though,” said Barbara Amblo, echoing the sentiment pervasive in the whole barnyard, from the children to the parents to the goats.
— Mary Langworthy
Check out our other Field Days vignettes:
Roger Layn passes on a blacksmithing tradition
Lincoln man finds his niche as a chainsaw artist
Horse and rider work together in competition
‘Cotton candy guy’ is one of many options
Showing sheep takes a lot of commitment
Local teen runs a fair favorite — the Sugar House
King of the scythe, father of Field Days: Lucien Paquette