| SEPTEMBER 2, 2012 -- Woodstock Fair attendees were unlikely see a cow being born on Sunday, but that didn’t prevent hundreds from stopping by the Barnyard Babies Birthing Center, one of the event’s most popular attractions.
Four dairy herd calves have been born so far since the fair’s Friday opening, but as of 1:15 p.m. Sunday, none had been born during hours when the 152nd annual fair was open for business. Videos were shown of previous births to satisfy the curious.
“Cows prefer privacy and like to go into a corner to birth their calves,” said Rachel Brong, of Rhode Island, who was taking questions from fairgoers at the birthing center.
Of the four cows that had given birth, three were first-time mothers. A cow marked with No. 1400 on her ear tag was most likely to give birth next, although her due date isn’t until Sept. 13, Brong said. Examining 1400’s swollen udder, Brong joked about birthing occurring on Labor Day weekend.
“She’s looking she’s ready,” said Erica Morin Hermonot, whose family’s Fairholm Farm in Woodstock owns No. 1400. “It’s nice to be able to showcase.”
Hermonot was pleased that three of the four calves born to her family’s farm are female.
“We’ve been very lucky,” said Hermonot, whose family’s milking herd numbers 240. “We’re more happy when it’s a girl.”
Gloria Jones peppered Brong with questions, saying she was fascinated with animal science.
“I’m learning so much,” she said.
Hans Dirkson, of Putnam, was assisting at the birthing center, as he has for the past seven years. The educational opportunities offered by the center are numerous, he said.
“People have no idea where their food comes,” Dirkson said. “We help to fill in those gaps.”
Dirkson said he was pleased to encounter U.S. Senate candidate Linda McMahon on Sunday. He thanked her, but not for visiting the birthing center.
“I work in the post office,” Dirkson said. “She is sending out a tremendous amount of mail. She’s probably the reason I have a job.”
The mild weather helped bring a steady crowd to the fair on its third day, fair President Doug Young said. The final day is today.
Many of the visitors are from Massachusetts and Rhode Island, making the fair a major tri-state event, organizers said.
“I don’t think we’re going to break an attendance record,” Young said Sunday. “But it’s a very nice group we’re getting. Everyone has been well-behaved.”
While youngsters shrieked and smiled during and after carnival rides, smiles came quickest to the faces of children interacting with the farm animals, including calves at the birthing center.
“I like her,” said Aidan Watanabe while petting a sheep in the sheep tent.
Sunday’s events included horse, cattle and sheep shows. Today’s events will include those as well as horse pulls beginning at 11 a.m. A Twinkie-eating contest is slated for 1:15 p.m. |
