ROYAL CITY - JC Worsham has shown sheep successfully at the Grant County Fair for two years. But his parents had their doubts when he first asked for the opportunity.

"I have an aunt and an uncle who both took sheep to the fair, and they had told me all the fun they had." JC said. "So I begged my parents for a few years before they finally let me start in 4-H."

JC is a member of Loft Loungers 4-H.

"It took us a while to get on board with the sheep thing," JC's mother, Shelli, said. "We figured it would be like any other pet, exciting at first, and then we would be taking care of it."

The Worshams admit they were wrong. JC has been "really great" about feeding his sheep and working with them before the fair.

"My husband (Sam) has even become attached to the sheep and visits them daily," Shelli said. "JC and Sam will take them on walks too."

JC's 4-H project has become a family project. Sam and Shelli have fun watching JC show his sheep. They see how hard he is working and how much fun he is having.

"It has been really fun taking a sheep to the fair the last two years," JC said. "It's nerve racking right before you go in the show ring. But once you are in there, and trying your best, it's exciting and fun."

The best thing about 4-H and showing sheep, according JC, is meeting people and making "really good" new friends in his 4-H group. He enjoys hanging out at the fair with them.

"Of course, spending the week eating fair food is a bonus," he said.