Showing at the County Fair?

[rockyhillrabbits]

I have only ever shown at an ARBA show one time but I'm thinking about doing the county fair this year. I'm sure each fair is different but has anyone shown in their fair and how do they do it? I'm mainly concerned about someone just stealing a rabbit, or some kid feeding a rabbit a corn dog or cotton candy and my rabbit dying. I called the person in charge of the rabbit show and he told me I'd need proof of ownership and they would try to run it like an ARBA show, but the rabbits have to be checked in a couple days before the show and stay until the last day of the fair. So it would be 5 days I believe. Last year and years before I have never seen Flemish or standard Rex, it's mostly New Zealand, Californian, and some Lionheads. I have 2 senior does, and a senior buck (Rex) I could show, and a junior Flemish Giant.

 

[Alaska Satin]

We've been showing in our State Fair nearly every year since about 2010. It's a small fair compared to many but we've always really enjoyed it. The rabbits stay for a week and are well-cared for. We do know some who have lost rabbits when they died, probably from stress. We have never had any tragedy, though, and I believe that's because our rabbits are *very* well-stress-proofed, experiencing lots of kid attention and farm noises and travel to shows, which translates into pretty chill rabbits that do well at the fair. So, I would suggest not taking any rabbits that are particularly nervous. I also do not take any rabbit that is absolutely critical to my breeding program.

It's true that many people either don't know or don't care about the proper care of rabbits; every year we watch people lift up the "Don't put your fingers into the cages" signs to put their fingers into the cages. (That one is pretty self-correcting, as the rabbits sometimes take it upon themselves to demonstrate *why* the people should not put their fingers in the cages. We try not to laugh when they do!) But our local rabbit club - which puts on the ARBA shows throughout the year - organizes volunteers in the barn to both keep an eye on things (e.g. for kids feeding rabbits corn dogs), and sit at an information table to talk to the public about rabbits. It's a lot of fun, and a good chance to educate people on rabbits, their care and their many uses and benefits. So maybe you can find an opportunity to volunteer at your fair, and both help the fair and look out for your own rabbits. I would expect your fair organizers would be happy to have someone bring some breeds other than the usual NZs, Cals, and Lionheads - more variety makes for a more interesting display for the public, and a chance to better educate them on the wonderful world of rabbits! Good luck!

Here's our ARBA Grand Champion and 2021 State Fair Best in Show (Satin Buck "Kibble")

 

[Jackrabbit]

I’ve never showed. This will be my first time, I’m showing at the county fair next month and I’m super excited!