4-H Swine show day at the fair

Day 2 at the Cumberland Fair was a busy one with L. having lots of prep work to do for her swine shows in the afternoon after our second shift volunteering in the 4-H kitchen. By the time the actual show began, L. was too tired to be all that nervous.

This is the series of events as they happened posted on my Twitter account.

Back in 4H cumb fair kitchen for 6am shift. Early but OK for us early birds. Proceeds from kitchen support 4H programs during year. Stop by. 6:46 AM Sep 28th

Back in 4H kitchen for early am shift 6:48 AM Sep 28th

We are working in the 4H food booth. And we had to get up at 5:30 am.- G 6:51 AM Sep 28th

Knee still swollen from pig wrangle 7:41 AM Sep 28th

My knee is still sore and swollen from pig moving on Sat. so I'm icing it this am while working in 4H kitchen. 7:41 AM Sep 28th

Girls now feel need to share their aches and pains. L says her legs hurt from standing all the time. G says head hurts from waking up early. 7:43 AM Sep 28th

Almeida fam dragging butts today. Next up is pig washing and stall cleaning. Then pig weigh-in, then a show. Time to get a grip, get moving. 7:45 AM Sep 28th

It's school day at fair and L wondering why so many kids are walking in pig barn complaining of smell. "It doesn't smell mom." My farm girl. 10:48 AM Sep 28th

L gave pigs bath in am, then brush after 10:53 AM Sep 28th L gave her pigs a bath earlier this morning, both liked the water spray and brushing. Today is 4H swine show (auction to sell is Wednesday). 10:56 AM Sep 28th

Pigs liked their pampering, makeover morning. Seem more relaxed today. I've been bummed they seemed so stressed before. L says they're OK. 10:59 AM Sep 28th

"Look mom Charlotte's web on my pig stall" 11:13 AM Sep 28th

L just painted clover on her pig board 11:36 AM Sep 28th

L just put finishing bit on her pig boards by spray-painting the clover on it. Nothing like waiting until 11th hour. Show is at 4 today. 11:37 AM Sep 28th

L thinks we would have had to do re-paint if we put clover on pig boards earlier. Moving was mud-smearing kinda day. She's right of course. 11:40 AM Sep 28th

Pig weigh in time! 1:39 PM Sep 28th

L's pigs resting after weigh ordeal 2:11 PM Sep 28th

Took nearly an hour to weigh the 29 pigs for 4H shows. Some pigs unwilling to get on scale. Guess who 2 of them were? Show should be a trip. 2:24 PM Sep 28th

L powdering pigs before show 3:19 PM Sep 28th

My pig girl almost ready for show 4:00 PM Sep 28th

4H swine show begun, crazy pigs everywhere 4:13 PM Sep 28th

pig girl is in the ring and smiling 4:36 PM Sep 28th

My L won the overall showmanship for her class! After look of shock came a giant smile while judge shook her hand. :) 4:38 PM Sep 28th

Big smiles with her pig trophy! 5:08 PM Sep 28th

L celebrating at home with ice cream cake 7:12 PM Sep 28th

Spent night at home and will be returning to fairgrounds soon. Yesterday was long day and everyone needed a good night's sleep and a shower. 6:52 AM Sep 29th

I realized later in the week that I forgot to post each of the pig's final weights, which I got around to later.

Not sure I shared pig weights from trip to scales. Pulchra is 304lbs and Titus 293lbs. Maybe this explains pig wrangling difficulties? 8:58 AM Sep 30th

And it wasn't until yesterday that L. reminded me to post her overall standing for her market hog, which she was quite pleased with her first year doing this project and served her well in getting good bids for her pig at the auction.

L placed 8th out 19 for her market hog 10:15 AM Oct 1st

More to come, if you're interested, about our experience at the fair this year but it's time for bed. We've got an early wake up call to meet the girls' 4-H club's parade float committee at 6 a.m. at the fairgrounds. And yes, we've returned the camper and are really happy to sleep in our own beds and make the daily commute to the fairgrounds. Several nights of camping out in late-September was enough for my crew. Driving that 1/2 hour in the am is a-OK with everyone tomorrow.