Chickens, cows and turkeys: Fond memories caring for the animals of the North Carolina State Fair

Don Edwards has seen multiple generations pass through the North Carolina State Fair in his 23 years as the superintendent of poultry.

“Life is a circle isn’t it?” Edwards said.

Edwards said he has seen families from all over North Carolina drop off their chickens for viewing at the state fair.

“I’ve even seen children cry when they’ve had to leave their chickens here for four or five days,” Edwards said.

Poultry staff member Amy Colbert said the chickens remind her of spending time with her dad.

“It takes me back to when I was a kid,” Colbert said. “I love watching the kids with the chickens.”

Colbert said she’ll give rubber ducks to young children who come to visit the animals featured at the state fair. There are several different breeds of poultry. The poultry tent also includes turkeys.

The chickens are checked twice a day, Colbert said.

“If they’re asleep, we like them to wake them up to make sure that they’re not suffering from anything,” Colbert said. “We check their eyes to make sure they’re clear and their nostrils to make sure they’re clear and they don’t have any signs of being sick.”

Edwards said the deadline each year to have a bird featured at the state fair is Sept. 15.

“They are so proud of their chickens, and they’ve got them named,” Edwards said.

NC State student wins Supreme Champion Junior Heifer

On Monday, Catawba native Emma Vanhoy won Supreme Champion Junior Heifer for showing her cow Geanie.

The competition is open to North Carolina residents 21 years of age and younger as of Jan. 1, 2023. It has several rules and regulations to qualify.

Vanhoy said she enjoys being around friends and family at the showing events she’s attended.

“My dad was just so proud because we’ve never won the state fair, and he got to be here to see it,” Vanhoy said. “Just being around others is the most rewarding part.

“It means a lot because my dad showed growing up, but not to this extent. So, he’s been always like, ‘I never got to do this.’ So, it’s very fun and it’s made us closer because we’re together all the time.”

Delway native Shane Kendall won second place as the reserve champion.

“Shane has beaten us all year, so the payback is good, but it really is rewarding because it’s a family thing,” Vanhoy said. “And, I’ve never won the whole state fair before, so it’s very rewarding.”

Kendall said he’s competed for the past 12-13 years.

“It’s the first time I’ve won, and it’s probably one of the last years I’ll be competing,” Kendall said.

Kendall said he’s had to wash his animals each day, waking up at 5 a.m.

Vanhoy is in her second year at North Carolina State University, studying agribusiness management.

“I just feel very grateful that I’ve had this opportunity to show as long as I have, and that my parents will help me out and my younger sister will come help me out, so it just feels great that I have this support system that wants me to succeed,” Vanhoy said.

Kendall said he’s competed in Rapid City, South Dakota, and across North Carolina.

“I have to thank my parents for spending all that gas,” Kendall said. “It’s just so expensive, and it’s just nice to get to know a bunch of people.”

Vanhoy said she’s also competed across North Carolina, Grand Island, Nebraska and Kansas City. In November, she’s heading to Louisville, Kentucky.

“We always make sure we have a lot of comfortable bedding in the trailer,” Vanhoy said. “We try to haul them in their own pens, so they can lay down if they want and they have water.

“You have to stop and give them water and feed them. It’s a lot.”

Vanhoy said a cow’s attitude can change from minute to minute.

“Cows have off days too, so you can get the washing and drying down, but if they’re moody, they’re going to be running you all around,” Vanhoy said.

10-year-old Wilson girl and her family bring six cows to NC State Fair

Ruby-Ann Pipkin and her family brought six cows to the North Carolina State Fair.

“We wake up at 5:30 a.m. every morning, even on school days, just to feed them and take care of them,” Pipkin said.

The 10-year-old Wilson native said this year marks her first time at the North Carolina State Fair. It is a family affair to take care of the animals.

“Well, it’s really easy,” Pipkin said. “I mean, my dad helps us a lot.”

Pipkin said she enjoys washing the cows most.

“When we wash them … me and my brother have a little bit of fun with the water hose,” she said.