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Kings Fair opens beneath pleasant skies as local youngster takes home top awards
The fair continues through Sunday night and got opened Thursday morning as young people, and students from throughout Kings County showed off their animals including pigs, steers, lambs, chickens, and more as judges scrutinized not only the animal but its handler.
For those fair-goers planning on attending this weekend, the gates open at 5 p.m. and remain open until midnight. The fair will host all the usual attractions. In addition to livestock, there are carnival rides, local attractions, and plenty of food vendors, that is if you're seeking that prized candied apple or that elusive deep-fried corndog.
The country band Lonestar will hit the Kings Outdoor theater at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night. The show is free with admission to the fair. Admission prices ranges from $8 for adults to $6 for anyone over 62. Kids six to 10 are $5, and kids under five are free.
One of the big winners, among many, was Lemoore High School sophomore, Jared Thompson. While he serves as a Lemoore High School Future Farmers of America officer, he chose to compete with his beloved Lemoore 4-H Club this week. He’s been a 4-H member for the past nine years. “I’ve been a member ever since I was able to walk,” said Thompson. “I like helping other members and basically just getting involved.”
Thompson’s goal is to become an agricultural teacher.
He brought two market steers to the fair on Wednesday and judging began Thursday. When the judges finally completed their jobs, Thompson walked away with the Grand Champion Marketing Steer and the Grand Champion Market Feeder Calf.
Late Thursday afternoon he learned he won the Supreme Grand Champion Steer. “I have two market steers,” said Thompson. I bought them when they were just six months old. I’ve only had them for six months.”
However, he will soon part with his prized animals when they go on the selling block Saturday at the fair’s annual auction. “I will sell them Saturday, but I don’t know what they’ll go for.”
This wasn’t the first time Thompson, the son of Rebekah and Todd Thompson, has competed at the Kings Fair. He’s showed animals before, including swing and dairy cows.
