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Siblings not hog-tied despite pressure of showing at fair

Grace, Sam Elam of Lebanon ‘excited’ to present their hogs

Grace Elam, 13, and her brother Sam, 11, play with their hog Pancake Tuesday morning in Lebanon. The Elams are preparing their hogs to compete in next week's Warren County Fair. Contributed photo by Jessica Uttinger

Jessica Uttinger Grace Elam, 13, and her brother Sam, 11, play with their hog Pancake Tuesday morning in Lebanon. The Elams are preparing their hogs to compete in next week's Warren County Fair. Contributed photo by Jessica Uttinger

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By Deanna Rippy , Contributing Writer Updated 3:17 PM Thursday, July 21, 2011

LEBANON — It’s hard work preparing a hog, Grace and Sam Elam said, but the experience is worth the effort for the Warren County 4-H members.

Grace, 13, and Sam, 11, of Lebanon, are amateur livestock presenters but their knowledge and hard work portray them as professionals.

The Elams are showing ‘Pancake’ and ‘Big Dutch,’ two of their big female hogs at the Warren County Fair next week.

The 160th Warren County Fair begins Monday and runs through July 23 at the Warren County Fairgrounds, 665 N. Broadway, Lebanon.

“We take care of the pigs every day,” said Grace “We wash and move them around the pin. Walking them a lot helps tame them. It’s really fun.”

But trying to keep the pigs clean is hard work when they love to frolic in the mud. At the fair, Grace and Sam help cut the hairs of the playful pigs until they are about a half inch long.

“Preparation starts in April when we get the hogs,” said Laura Elam, Grace and Sam’s mother. “The junior fair is a great experience for my children.”

It’s important to spend a lot of time with the hogs getting them used to being around humans, according to Laura. The heat is really hard on the pigs so they are kept in the shade all day. At the fair they bring ice buckets and water. They are easier to maneuver when they’re hot and tired, Laura said.

The hogs are walked for exercise and practice for the “showmanship” show where the children are judged on their knowledge and ability to show the animals.

“We walk them by tapping them on the front with guide sticks,” said Grace. “We don’t want to hit them hard because they’ll bruise.”

“I’m really excited about the fair,” said Sam. “I hope to win showmanship this year. I almost won last year.”

The children feel they are better prepared for the show than last year because they have a better knowledge of the animals. Grace is really hoping to place.

Grace has participated in the 4-H livestock program for four years while her brother Sam has participated for three. They really enjoy being members of the 4-H program and learning public speaking skills.

“We have about 650 kids in the livestock program,” said Kara Colvin, an extension educator. “Depending on the class the animals will be judged on quality.”

The fair costs $8 per person, children 12 and under and parking are free. A weekly pass is available for $32 per person.

Contact this reporter at (513)696-4533 or dRippy@coxohio.com