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It's showtime! Saline County Fair means ag shows for local youths

SALINE COUNTY – When the Saline County Fair rolls around in July, it's time to call the cows home, literally, for Briley Lenkaitis and her brother A.J. of Eldorado.

That's because they spend a good deal of the summer taking their dairy show cattle across the state to compete in various cattle shows.

"We were in Bloomington last week for the state championships, and we were at Clinton County the week before that," Briley says, as she spreads fresh straw Monday morning while her younger sister Denver watches. Her boyfriend, Deegan Carpenter, is hauling the old straw out with a wheelbarrow and A.J. is taking each cow to a wash station one by one.

"We go to a lot of shows during the summer, not just this one," Briley said.

This week, fair hosts the livestock shows for Saline County 4H members. The Lenkaitis siblings are part of the local 4H group Farmin' Friends, and Briley says they're looking forward to the week.

"It's a lot of fun, but it's also a lot of work getting ready for it," she said.

Though carnival equipment still was being assembled Monday, the fair gets into full swing each evening.

Tonight, the grandstand features the motocross and quad races. Wednesday night is the tractor and truck pull. Thursday also is a night of tractor and truck pulls. Friday is the Whippoorwill Rodeo, and Saturday rounds out the week with the demolition derby.

All grandstand events begin at 7 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m.

Briley Lenkaitis, left, spreads fresh straw while her younger sister Denver observes. Briley and her brother A.J. are showing their dairy cattle in the Saline County Fair's 4H show this week. TRAVIS DENEAL PHOTO