Elephant Appreciation Day

Farmers enjoy role as teachers at Cuyahoga County Fair displays

BEREA, Ohio -- The Cuyahoga County Fair is supposed to be fun: a midway of games and thrills, elephant ears, pony rides, family and friends.

But who knew it would be such an educational experience too.

"Is this a horse?" a passer-by said as she strolled in front of Kevin Haneberg's animals on display at the fair , which opened Monday night and runs through Sunday.

No, that was not a horse. The visitor had just seen a 5-foot-tall cow.

"I get lots of questions," Haneberg said. "They [visitors] ask me about things that I think are no-brainers, but I like to educate people."

Children, teens and adults alike visited the 115th annual Cuyahoga County Fair. Organizers said they hope to exceed last year's 140,000 attendance.

Haneberg said some visitors ask for details about breeds, breeding, food and general care about the cows.

But questions such as the one raised by the passer-by are the reason many farmers return to county fairs year after year. It is the joy of teaching visitors about their animals, and not necessarily prizes, that inspires the farmers to travel across the state and sleep next to their animals -- literally -- for six days straight.

"We don't want [visitors] to forget where their food comes from," said Haneberg, who will display 24 cows in five fairs this year. "We want them to know that their milk and vegetables don't come from the store, they come from the farm."

Farmers also hang informational signs by their animals in the fair's cattle area.

"The fleece from most sheep in Ohio will weigh seven to eight pounds," one sign said. "Horses sleep standing up," another sign read.

Julia Gasbarre has had her share of inquiries during her six years attending the fair. The 12-year-old North Royalton girl values the importance of teaching visitors about the lambs and chickens her family owns.

"People ask if we feed them enough," Gasbarre said about the six lambs she is showing this week. "We care about them. We feed them enough, but we don't want them to get fat because what you eat is muscle, not fat."

Farmers like Haneberg and Gasbarre pamper their animals throughout the week. Haneberg's cows get a bath every morning. Gasbarre's chickens are blow-dried daily to look "fluffy."

And visitors show their appreciation for the farmers' care for their animals, their answers -- and their patience -- by returning every year .

"There's so much education here; it's wonderful," said Hope Weisburn of Bath Township, who walked around the grounds with her two daughters and a friend. "It's the cleanest of all fairs we've visited. The animals are healthy and well-kept. We look forward to visiting every year.

ENTERTAINMENT: DENVER ZOO ANNOUNCES SEPTEMBER EVENTS

Denver, CO (August 5, 2011) – September is a month for all age groups at Denver Zoo. Adults can enjoy the zoo’s popular Brew At The Zoo on September 9, while the younger set can participate in the September 24 Scout Night. Also, all ages can help the zoo celebrate the end of the Kids Campaign and join our Elephant Appreciation Day salute on September 24. money for the zoo’s Red Apple Scholarship Fund for Lifelong Learning. The Red Apple Fund provides educational programs for children and families who demonstrate financial need. Tickets can be purchased in advance only at www.denverzoo.org. Ticket prices are $70 for general admission; $65 members; $30 designated driver and $100 for preview tickets, which includes early admission at 6 p.m. This event, sponsored by Mountain States Toyota, usually is a sellout, so zoo guests are urged to buy their tickets soon. Scout Night – Denver Zoo’s Scout Night returns on September 24, as boy and girl scouts can enjoy a night at the zoo, while earning badges, sharing animal experiences building teamwork and improving leadership skills. The event runs from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 24 and admission is $15 per person. Groups registering 10 or more people receive $1 off each ticket. Tickets are limited and sold in advance only. To buy tickets or for more information, visit www.denverzoo.org. Elephant Appreciation Day/Kids Campaign Celebration – Denver Zoo will celebrate the end of the Kids Campaign from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on September 24 on Elephant Appreciation Day. The Kids Campaign kicked off on March 13 to recruit children to help raise money for Asian Tropics, the new home for the zoo’s Asian elephants, Mimi and Dolly. The Kids Campaign was created to revive the tradition set in 1950 when a “pennies for pachys” fundraising effort helped bring Cookie, the zoo’s first elephant, to Denver . Winners in four age groups (5 years old and under; 6-10; 11-12 and 13-17) will be announced at the September 24 Elephant Appreciation Day. There also will be several family-friendly activities and animal encounters during the celebration. Visit www.denverzoo.org/kidscampaign for more information.

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Congressional Record, V. 151, Pt. 16, September 26 to October 6, 2005