NORWICH – “Mom look at that,” exclaimed a young girl as she tugged on the hem of her mother’s sun dress and pointed at a yawning black leopard caged behind thin metal bars, the exotic animals just one of the many populating the Chenango County Fairgrounds. Everything from creatures as foreign to Chenango County as lemurs and tarantulas to those as commonplace, yet no less adored, as heifers and hogs can be found at the county fair, which is much more than just rides and sweet treats.

Agriculture has always been at the core of the fair, which has brought animal enthusiasts, farmers, and county residents in general together for generations. Some fairgoers bring their animals to showcase them before judges in the hopes of winning recognition, while others come just for the fun of it; to see friends and to have a good time. For most, however, regardless of their reason for attending, the fair is something they look forward to year round.

“I love the fair – a lot of long hours but definitely worth it,” said 4-H’s Janet Pfromm while taking a break from judging a goat competition. “I can’t even count how many ribbons I give away each year, I will go through at least 1,000 blue ones.”

Pfromm estimates about 75 percent of the 235 members of the Chenango County 4-H program are participating in this year’s fair in one form or another. Taking part allows many of the youths to showcase their prized animals and to interact with other kids who are enthusiastic about different sorts of creatures. The fair is also an opportunity for Pfromm and the rest of the 4-H staff to demonstrate the value of the program to the public. For an illustration of Pfromm’s point, one need only walk through the stalls of livestock being fawned over by exuberant youths, many of whom will one day be responsible for feeding the rest of the community.

“It’s a fun time and it helps get them ready for the state fair,” said Pfromm.