photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Ruby Oberzan goes to bathe her goats participating in the 4-H Dairy Goat & Meat Show on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.

Before the evening goat show on Tuesday at the Douglas County Fair, many 4-H kids made sure their goats were ready for the eyes of the judges — carefully grooming them and keeping them well-hydrated even as the heat index climbed to 101 degrees.

The goat show was one of many livestock and agriculture competitions that local 4-Hers had been preparing for as part of this year’s fair, which began in earnest this past weekend after a couple of events earlier in the month. Isabella Sipe, one of the participants in the goat show, said there are so many things you have to do before the show to make sure your goat looks the best.

“You have to whiten your goat if your goat is white, shave your goat, blow dry your goat, fluff their legs up, trim their hooves, shine up their hooves and horns, mostly just getting them to look really pretty,” Isabella said.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

These two goats participated in the 4-H Dairy Goat & Meat Show at the Douglas County Fair on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.

This was the fifth goat show Isabella had competed in, and she said her favorite part was not just making her goat look pretty, but getting to know her goat’s personality. Isabella said the goat she entered in the show, Roxy, can be hard to handle, but that she’s a big sweetheart and that goats can get skittish during events like this.

Some of the goats can also be really stubborn, said Bentley Thompson, another 4-H participant. “I remember when we were walking our goats, one of the other goats decided to lay down on the ground for some reason,” Bentley said.

Despite sometimes having to deal with a goat’s stubbornness on his own, Bentley said he was very excited about his goat, Butterfinger, who weighs 97 pounds.

“I like sports and competing, and my goat is really heavy, so I’m confident about my goat,” Bentley said.

While taking care of her goat at the fair, 4-H participant Zoey Price said it’s really important for your goat to have clean water and make sure they’re drinking it.

“If you show goats, you might want to bring your own water because they might not drink this water (at the pavilion),” Zoey said. “And they might not be hydrated or show well because of that.”

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Zoey Price stands with her goat Hawk at the Douglas County Fair on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.

Zoey said her favorite thing about looking after her goat, Hawk, is the relationship the two of them share.

“I think he’s bonded to me,” Zoey said. “He’s really nice. He doesn’t purposely try to bite me or chew on my clothes. We also play tag and hide and seek.”

For many of the kids participating in the goat show, they say this isn’t their first rodeo. Ruby Oberzan has been competing in these events for the last four years, and she says it’s all worth it to spend time with the goats.

The Douglas County Fair continues through Saturday with more competitions, live music and carnival attractions at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2110 Harper St. For a full schedule of events, visit dgcountyfair.com.