Pets have a new home at the Grant County Fairgrounds

The Fair Board has reorganized some of the fair activities and renamed exhibit building 6 the Domestic Pet Building (formerly the Artist Building). Its new tenants are dog, cat and Pocket Pet exhibitors.

Pocket pets will be some of the new stars in the Domestic Pets Building at the north end of

the row of exhibits building on the fairgrounds. This year not only will dog and cat exhibitors be inside a building, but you will may also find them sharing time with salamanders, frogs, snakes, hedgehogs and more in the Pocket Pets activities.

"Many youth within the county don't have the opportunity to exhibit livestock, but in the corner of their bedrooms you will find all manner of creatures and the fair board, superintendents and small livestock committee wanted to give everyone an opportunity to show their skills and animals at the fair," said Al Holman, fair and facility manager.

Pocket Pets are new for this year's county fair.

"On page 23 of the Exhibitor Guide you will find the rules and classes for Pocket Pet," Holman said. "Our new little friends will come with their exhibitors (owners) to the fair on

Friday, August 20th and will be in the Domestic Pets Building most of that day."

One of the most interesting activities of that day will be the special

judging. Holman said. These contests will look for the fuzziest, most spots, most unusual fur and several other classes of winners will be presented, so don't miss the fun.

Our Canine friends will fill the Domestic Pets Building for the first three days of this year's Grant County Fair, Holman said. And not only will they be inside this year but the dogs will have an expanded program of activities.

Tuesday, August 17, will be filled with Fitting & Showing and Dog Obedience judging and the winners from Fitting and Showing will be part of the Small Livestock Round Robin (the Best of the Best) at 6 p.m. in the Sales Barn.

Wednesday, August 18, the dogs will be in Obedience and Judging classes and on Thursday, August 19, it's time for running, jumping, tricks and costumes activities. Highlighting the third and final day of dog activities at the Grant County Fair will be dog agility in the morning and tricks and costumes in the afternoon.

"It will be a fun way to finish the canine activities," Holman said.

Saturday, August 21, is all about cats in the Domestic Pets Building. Cat Fitting & Showing starts the feline extravaganza on that morning that includes cage decorations and the wildest thing of all, cat obedience.

"You have never seen obedience until you see cat obedience," Holman said. "Don't miss it or any of the other fun in the Domestic Pets Building during the Grant County Fair, August 17 -21."