Fun, food, animals aplenty at Salt Lake County Fair

SOUTH JORDAN — From giant scones to pig races, the Salt Lake County Fair has everything a traditional fair could offer.

"We always enjoy coming out to the fair," Laurel Smith said. "The kids love animals. It's fun to see all the bunnies and chickens."

The 40-year-old Holladay resident competed in an aluminum-can crushing contest in the commercial pavilion Wednesday to win a can-crusher device.

Smith's daughter, Arielle, 11, is a member of the 4-H royalty program in which the girls exemplify leadership and volunteer at community events. Arielle sported a black cowboy hat, circled with a rhinestone tiara with a horseshoe-shaped pendant, and a silver belt buckle the size of a tea saucer.

She loves her horse, Shawni, a gray spotted half-Arabian and half-pony of the Americas breed.

"She's really caring," Arielle said, "and if I fall off, she'll always stop. She's really competitive. And she just loves apples."

The pig races, where people can cheer for one of four competing swine, is a big draw — and it's free.

"It's just fun to watch pigs run around a ring," said 13-year-old Alex Brewer of West Jordan.

Alex chose the pig with the blue marking and then won the drawing out of all the blue tickets. He received a blue ribbon and a white T-shirt that read: "My Pig Won."

Children and adults alike flocked to the petting zoo that touts goats and a camel, llama, donkey and pony.

In the livestock barn, Wayne Bowen, 49, and Laura Bowen, 43, of Herriman, kept an eye on two steers their children had cared for through the 4-H program and entered in the fair. The black Maine Angus steers with big black eyes, named Harry and Lloyd, are to be shown and judged Thursday.

"4-H has taught my children leadership and responsibility," Laura Bowen said. "There is a lot of responsibility caring for the animals. They have to keep records on the cost of the feed, how much feed and photograph their animals to track the growth."

The carnival has a myriad of rides, including the traditional Ferris wheel and carousal.

Dozens of food booths serve up fare such as corn dogs, fried mini donuts, lemonade and a "Tiger Paw" — a giant scone covered in either taco fixings, cinnamon and sugar or honey and butter. Several booths offer ethnic food.

The commercial pavilion is lined with booths offering freebies, cooking shows and even a casket.

"It's something people don't usually see," said Kent Thatcher, family services counselor with McDougal Funeral Home in Taylorsville. "We just want to find people who want to talk about getting funeral plans done — or at least thought about."

The county fair runs through Saturday, Aug. 14, at the Salt Lake County Equestrian Park and Fair Grounds, 2100 W. 11400 South.

For more information, visit www.countyfair.slco.org or call 801-254-0106. Fair-goers are advised to take 10600 South to 2200 West to avoid construction. The fair is free, but parking costs $7 a day.

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