Everybody wins in Pee-Wee Show

Amid the cheers of family and friends and the squeals of piglets, 29 children who entered the Pee-Wee Show at the Highlands County Fair carried, led and dragged their prizewinning livestock into the livestock pavilion Tuesday evening.

Many, dressed in western regalia, (cowboy hats, western shirts, jeans and cowboy boots), hugged their favorite rooster, snuggled a bunny or took hold of leads on their calves that were often way bigger than they were.

The excitement, nervousness and a little stage-fright showed clearly on their little faces. It was a good-sized audience with the bleachers about half full.

The Pee-Wee kids were ages 4 to 7, according to a Highlands County Fair Association spokeswoman.

As each child entered the arena, the announcer called out some odd animal names: Mr. Noodles, Mrs. Big-Foot, Hershey Kiss and Reese's Cup, Scratchy and another named Scratch-Scratch.

One would imagine that Thumper was a bunny and Oreo was a black-and-white calf.

Proud parents' ribs strained against the iron railing, as cameras flashed when Sebring Police Chief Tom Dettman awarded each entrant a blue ribbon and congratulated them on their fine bit of showmanship.

Andrew Stephens, 5, was handling his bull dairy named Cowboy. It was his second show in as many years, according to his mom, Rebekah Stephens, who cheered him on.

His brother Jacob Stephens, 7, in his fourth year, was an old hand as the Pee-Wee class goes, said his mother, as he led his beef heifer.

"They've been raising them for about three or four weeks," she said.

The next step for many of these children is to become "Clover Buds," and that is basically to get the children interested in the 4-H Club.

FAST FACTS

The Pee-Wee kids were ages 4 to 7.

The next step for many of these children is to become "Clover Buds," and that is basically to get the children interested in the 4-H Club.