As Bloomsburg Fair’s Superintendent of Livestock, I invite you to visit our area at the southwest end of the Fairgrounds on Avenue “F”. Discover what farming is all about and teach your family how our American heritage was built. We are very excited about showing off a 6 Percheron horse hitch. Along with the Percheron will be featuring Cinderella's Carriage drawn by a Team of Percheron. In our pole barn this year we feature a pair of Belgium horses, Team of Oxen and Miniature Donkeys and Gypsy Vanner Horse.. We will have 2 different breeds of draft horses on exhibit. These magnificent animals weigh approximately 2,000 lbs each (1 ton)

Be sure not to miss our 4-H Horse & Pony Drill Team.. They will be performing daily (except Wednesday) in the large arena. This team, made up of 4-Hers put on a great show for everyone to enjoy. This is a must see attraction at our fair!
 

Other attractions in the Livestock area include a 4-H Poster Contest being held Monday at 7:00pm, Agility Dogs performing on Tuesday at 7:00pm and Thursday at 5pm all in the Large Arena, and a demonstration by Gensemer’s Meat Company on Wednesday at 10:00am in the Small Arena. Livestock competitions will be held daily in the Large and Small Arenas.

On Friday we are excited to bring you the ever popular Light and Heavy Weight Horse Pulling contest held at the grandstand. This contest is where pairs of draft horses team up and pull a sled 27 1/2 feet, working together as they do in the fields to plow. Prior to the Horse Pulling Show we will have the demonstration of the Percherons and pole barn animals while being hitched up. On Saturday we will have the Pony Pulling Contests in the Arena, which is always an exciting fun filled event.

4-H Club members of an organization devoted to farming and many other pursuits, will be offering you the opportunity to have your picture taken with a calf, lamb, horse, pig, or goat. Watch dairy cows being milked at the milking parlor located in the large cattle barn and take note of the outstanding life-size wall mural.

Children may play in the “corn box” which is always a big hit. The Parade Cow named “2004 Fair’s Optimism” is back again. Enjoy the beautiful fountain, benches and flower boxes decorating the Livestock area. The maintenance crew put in many hours of work on these items - if you see them around the grounds, tell them how much you appreciate their hard work! Many thanks go to the Board of Directors for their support of the Livestock Department. The Board recognizes the importance of continuing to improve the Agricultural areas for future generations to keep agriculture as a mainstay in their daily lives.

Since I was able to walk, I have enjoyed working in the Livestock area of the fair helping my Grandfather (J. Fred Giger), Father (John F. Giger) and Aunt (Marie Giger Williams). The Bloomsburg Fair has always been a major part of our lives. Our family and close friends take pride in presenting you with the best Livestock Area possible. If you have a chance, stop in the large cattle barn with any questions or suggestions and say “Hello”. I’m looking forward to seeing you. ENJOY YOUR TIME AT THE BLOOMSBURG FAIR AND BUILD MANY FAMILY MEMORIES.

Jeff B. Giger
Supt. of Livestock