BROWNSTOWN
When 15-year-old Kaylyn Holman of Crothersville decided to dress her goat for a day at the beach, she didn’t think think he would take the costume to heart.
But Ghost decided if he was going to look the part of a beach bum, he might as well play one, as well.
After walking a lap in the show arena Wednesday, Ghost lazily sat down on his haunches and leaned into Holman. Not quite relaxed enough, he then stretched out on the ground.
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Click here to purchase photos from this galleryThe look, combined with his attitude, was enough to win over the judges in the annual goat variety show at the Jackson County Fair in Brownstown.
To compete, 4-H members must dress up their goat in costume. Many of the participants also chose to dress up, matching their outfits with that of the goats.
This year, there were six entries — all girls.
Holman said she was trying to come up with an idea for the show Tuesday.
“I heard about it and didn’t really know what to do,” she said. “But then I saw our pool stuff laying around, and that gave me the idea.”
To match Ghost, Holman also donned goggles, a swimsuit and a beach towel.
“It’s a lot of fun to do something like this,” she said of the variety show. “I love to do the regular shows, but they are very competitive. This is more fun and laid back. ”
This is Holman’s second year to show goats, and she brought 10 goats to the fairgrounds this year.
Competing in 4-H shows teaches you more than just how to walk a goat or smile at the judges, she said.
“You learn about sportsmanship because you’re not always going to win,” she said. “And also to be respectful to the other kids competing.”
Viv Siefker, 13, of Seymour won the show last year when she and her goat dressed up as tourists taking selfies. This year, she chose a patriotic theme, wearing a red, white and blue sparkly tutu and top hat.
She dressed her goat, Little, in an All-American shirt, sunglasses and red, white and blue beads.
“Usually, we’re a little more prepared,” Siefker said. “But I bought this tutu for a 5K and made it work.”
Competing in the variety show is a highlight of fair week because it’s an opportunity to laugh and be silly.
“You don’t have to worry about how your goat is walking or how they act,” she said. “It’s just a lot of fun.”
Siefker has participated in the variety show all three years it has been available. She also shows horses and dogs.
“Showing goats is different, though, because they’re a livestock animal,” she said. “You can show them in different classes.”
Like Holman, Siefker brought 10 goats to the fair this year.
She hoped no one noticed when Little started to chew on the small American flag she held in her hand.
“I don’t want him to be deported,” she said, laughing.
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Jackson County Fair schedule
Today
7 a.m.: Swine going home (locker, for personal use or state fair); exhibits released
Noon: Jackson County Fair fashion show; B.loved will present a formal attire show in conjunction with the show, pavilion
2 p.m.: Grand parade of livestock registration deadline, 4-H building
3 p.m.: Presentation of 4-H building trophies, 4-H building winners circle awards, 10-year 4-H members, Mini 4-H T-shirts, achievement, leadership and outstanding Junior Leader plaques and I Dare You Awards, pavilion
4 to 8 p.m.: Sustainable Agriculture by Premier, Farm Bureau building
4 to 10 p.m.: Industry Showcase, Building 4
5:30 p.m.: Forrest Turner, pavilion
6 p.m.: Alley Katz, antique building stage
5:30 p.m.: Grand parade of open class grand champions and any 4-H livestock exhibitor, Show Arena 1
6:30 p.m.: 4-H junior supreme showman contest (all beef, dairy beef, dairy, boer goat, dairy goat, sheep and swine), Show Arena 1
7:30 p.m.: 4-H supreme showman contest (all beef, dairy beef, dairy, boer goat, dairy goat, sheep and swine), Show Arena 1
6 p.m. to close: Poor Jack Amusements Moonlight Madness (unlimited rides with $22 bracelet)
6:45 p.m.: Schulhaus 4 + 3 German band, pavilion
7 p.m.: Nightly antique machinery demonstration, behind antique building
7 p.m.: Bridge building demonstration, antique building annex
7:30 p.m.: Beagle and coon dog show ($2 entry), Show Arena 2
8 p.m.: Stars and Stripes Cloggers, pavilion
8 p.m.: Sounds of Summer: A Beach Boys Tribute (admission is $12 for adults, $2 for ages 6 to 12 and free for under 6), grandstand
11 p.m.: 4-H animals not in livestock auction released from fairgrounds
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