Learning Valuable Lessons

SEBRING - As the fair approaches, excitement is mounting in the Bickman house.

"We look forward to the fair all year," said Samantha Bickman, leader of Country Clovers 4-H Group. "The fairgrounds are our home away from home."

Hundreds of families throughout the county are in the same position as the Bickmans, preparing for the festivities of the Highlands County Fair, which starts Friday.

Brothers Michael and Justin Bickman wake up at 6 every morning to feed and water their animals. They each have swine, chickens and rabbits to show at the fair.

"Raising animals teaches them a lot of responsibility," their dad George Bickman said. "They don't do it for the money; we will be happy if they break even. They just do it for the experience and because they enjoy it."

Justin, 8, threw a little extra feed in his hog's bowl Monday afternoon. He is keeping his fingers crossed that his swine weighs at least 230 pounds before check in Saturday.

"It stopped gaining weight, so my mom fed it Twinkies," Justin said.

This the first year Justin is old enough to show a swine, but he has been showing rabbits and chickens for years.

"It's a little harder to take care of because you have to train it to get used to the cane and learn which way to turn when you lead it with a cane," Justin said. "I walk it around a lot and practice and lead it around."

Michael, 15, said he has been showing animals for so long, leading them and holding them comes naturally.

"You have to be really steady when you open the cage and get the chickens out because they get spooked easily," Michael said. "You just have to be calm, and make sure you put them in and take them out head first."

He will be showing a trio with one rooster and two hens at the fair.

"You want the hens to look as similar as possible," Michael said. "And you have to make sure all three get along because if they fight, they lose feathers."

For rabbits, they have to learn specific things about their breed, like how they have to be posed while being judged.

"You have to pay attention to a lot of different things when you are raising them," Michael said. "If it's a breed that is shown with its head up, you have to make sure his food bowl is not down low."

Showmanship is as important as the animal. Michael said he isn't as concerned with what place his swine takes as he is with showing well.

"Last year when I showed at a fair in West Palm Beach, my pig went crazy and ran around the pin," Michael said. "This year, I just want my pig to be nice, friendly and controlled, and I will be happy."

The brothers could end up competing against each another or one of their friends, but they say all the competition is friendly.

"The fair is about supporting each other," Samantha Bickman said. "Even those without animals come out to the fair and cheer on their friends.

"It's awesome to see the group of kids come together and help each other. Even though there is a sense of competition, it's all very friendly."