Troy's Harper prepares for a busy Lincoln County Fair

More than 100 Lincoln County youth will show their livestock at the upcoming fair in Eureka and Troy’s Nick Harper will be among some of the busiest.

Harper, a member of the Kootenai Kids and Critters 4-H club in Troy and the son of Chad and SvetLana Harper, will show four animals and have photos in the open class photography competition.

Harper, who lives on his family’s ranch in Troy, has been active in 4-H for several years.

“Living on a ranch, we have many different animals and I’ve done it for so long, it’s become natural to me,” Harper said recently in an interview with The Western News.

The county fair, which runs from Aug. 24-27, will feature hundreds of exhibits - from grains and vegetables to livestock such as horses and cattle.

At this year’s fair, Harper will show a steer, a horse, a dog, a rabbit and his photography.

His steer, a 16-month-old Black Angus named Milka, weighed 1,165 pounds on July 21. His 2022 steer was born, raised and sold in Lincoln County and was a Reserve Champion.

His purebred Arabian horse, “Bo,” or “Boosik” is 19 years old and, “has been in the family forever,” according to Nick. “Bo” is short for “Bucephalus,” Alexander the Great’s warhorse that lived to the age of 29.

Nick has been active in horsemanship, competing in A-Mok-See, showmanship, trail and Western riding and parades.

His dog is a 3-year-old German Shepherd named “Freya.” The rabbit is a Netherland Dwarf. He has shown swine in the past, but not this year.

Nick has high hopes for the fair, but he said he is most happy when the animals, “listen.”

“Every 4-Her has worked hard to train their animals and other projects to the best of their ability,” Harper said.

The family raises Shepherds and Harper’s canines have either been grand or reserve champions.

“I’m really looking forward to it and it will be fun as it is every year,” Nick said. “Each day will be something different with the kids showing their animals.

“Every 4-Her has worked hard to train their animals and other projects to the best of their ability, so we want everyone to come out and support them.”

SvetLana said, “It’s an amazing opportunity for the kids, they learn so much.”

The 4-H action will kick off Thursday, Aug. 24, with the swine, sheep and goat show beginning at 8 a.m. The dog show starts at 5:30 p.m.

Friday, the beef show begins at 8 a.m., followed by the rabbit, poultry and pocket pet show at 11:30 a.m. and the 4-H horse show at 1 p.m.

There will also be judging in a variety of adult and youth divisions on Friday. That night, the 4-H Family Dance will be held in the pavilion and everyone is welcome to take part in the Friday Night Games in the arena.

Saturday morning, the top showmen will compete for all-around honors in the round robin competition and the open class horse show will also take place.

At 3 p.m., the Youth Livestock Auction will be held. There will be about 19 market beef, 73 market hogs, 20 market sheep and one market goat.

For those who buy market livestock, they’ll receive tickets to Saturday evening’s Bull Thing.

Those interested in a buy-back animal at the auction, they should register before Aug. 26 by calling the extension office at 296-9019.

Exhibit barn hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, it’s 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Kidsville is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Eureka’s Holly VanBemmel, who sang background vocals on country star Toby Keith’s “How Do You Like Me Now” album, will perform on the main stage at 6:30 p.m. Thursday and on Friday. She also perform on the Food Court Free Stage until 3 p.m. Sunday.

VanBemmel is also running the 17th Annual Karaoke Challenge at noon Saturday. To sign up, give her a call at 297-3310.

The dog costume contest will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

For more information, visit https://lcfairmontana.com/ or call 297-3741.