State Fair kicks off new season

Gaylen Larsen said he grooms his cows for the same reasons he grooms himself — so they can look their best, which Jason said will "promote their genetics." With clippers in hand, Gaylen trimmed the heifer's coat to make it sleek. He said any imperfections in the animal's body can be disguised with fur, much like covering a bald spot with a comb-over.

The Larsens not only like to showcase their dairy cows but compare them to other's stock, to see how their height, muscle tone and udder size, as well as other things, measure up. They also come for the camaraderie.

"I like to meet with fellow dairymen," Gaylen said.

In the sheep exhibit, the sheep all wore coats with their past titles emblazoned on them. A sheep handler ate a rice-crispy treat while he shore a sheep to the skin. It bleated in protest.

The animal exhibits were the reason Steve and Dixie Shore, who were sharing apple covered funnel cake, came to the fair. Steve said as a kid he liked the midway but said the exhibits were his fancy now. They judged the funnel cake as "good."

The Utah State Fair is running daily through Sept. 14.

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If you go . . .

What: Utah State Fair

Where: Utah State Fairpark, 155 N. 1000 West

When: Daily through Sept. 14, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., until 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

How much: $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and children 6-12, children under 5 free

Friday's events: Vanessa Hudgens, 5 p.m. (tickets on sale at SmithsTix); Maxinettes, 11 a.m.; Jed Brown Band, 12:30 p.m.; Kemari, 2 p.m.; Paul Green School of Rock, 3:30 p.m.; Jamie Leigh and Backstage, 5 p.m.; Smiling Souls, 6:30 p.m.; Jagertown, 8 p.m.; The New Nervous, 9:30 p.m.

Information: utahstatefairpark.com or call 538-FAIR

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E-mail: lwilde@desnews.com