Vivienne Chicoine got a chance to pet one of the sheep that Mackenzie Zollner was showing at the Redwood County Fair on Friday. The 4-H sheep show was one of the many livestock events taking place at the fair this week.

REDWOOD FALLS — The minutes were ticking down to showtime. The sheep pens at the Redwood County fairgrounds were a whirlwind of activity, as 4-H members made sure their lambs were looking their best. One after another, the animals were being cleaned and blow-dried, and their wool carefully trimmed.

“It’s nerve-wracking,” Elizabeth Lenning said of the rush. But in spite of the nerves, the experience of the competition was fun for both experienced sheep showers and first-timers.

Friday’s sheep show was just one of the livestock events taking place at this year’s Redwood County Fair. The show includes both events where market and breeding sheep are judged, and showmanship events.

The point of the showmanship event is, “To see how good you take care of your sheep,” said William Guggisberg. Guggisberg was taking part in the junior showmanship event. He said it was his first time showing sheep outside of the Cloverbuds program for younger 4-H members.

“It’s pretty nice” being in the show ring, Guggisberg said.

In honor of the Redwood County Fair’s 150th anniversary, this year’s show also included a special alumni showmanship competition, where adults could lead a lamb into the ring. Alumni said a lot has changed about today’s sheep – the lambs are bigger and heavier compared to the ones shown decades ago.

Some competitors said showing sheep was a fun experience.

“It’s my first year showing,” said Lenning, a Lamberton resident. She said she got interested in showing sheep partly because her grandparents had sheep, and also because a friend showed sheep. “I thought that would be fun,” she said.

After working with them, Lenning said, “I think sheep are a lot more exciting than most people think. They have personalities.”

On Friday, one of Lenning’s sheep won overall grand champion in the breeding ewe event – but it wasn’t the one she was expecting to win, she said.

Lane Guggisberg, of Morgan, said he had been showing sheep for about 10 years now. It’s something that takes a lot of work. “From the start of June, every weekend until now we’ll be at shows,” he said.

Guggisberg had five sheep he was showing at the county fair. He ended up winning the grand champion and reserve grand champion ribbons for market lambs.

Guggisberg said he’s enjoyed the experience of showing sheep.

“It’s the memories, of competing at the county fair and going to shows, getting to the State Fair and meeting new people,” he said.