Gooding County Fair Starts This Week

The 2014 Gooding County Fair starts this week.

Here's a schedule of events at the fair.

Monday, Aug. 11

• 7-9 a.m.: Pig weigh-in (pig barn)

• 9 a.m.: Entries open for open class items

• 10 a.m.-noon: Sheep and meat goat weigh-in (pig barn)

• Noon: Poster contest — turn in entries (extension office)

• 12:30 p.m.: 4-H FCS judges’ orientation (exhibit hall)

• 1 p.m.: Pig and sheep exhibitor meeting (beef barn)

• 1-6 p.m.: Judging and interviews of 4-H FCS and miscellaneous projects (exhibit hall)

• 7:30 p.m.: 4-H & FFA goat show (outside show ring)

• 9 p.m.: Entries close for open class items

Tuesday, Aug. 12

• 7:30 a.m.: 4-H and FFA members meet with sheep and goat judge (outside show ring)

• 8 a.m.: Lamb and meat goat show. 4-H/FFA market lamb quality will follow showmanship; then breeding classes followed by meat goat showmanship, then meat goat quality.

• 8 a.m.: 4-H and FFA members meet with dairy judge (beef barn)

• 8:30 a.m.: Dairy cattle showmanship show. 4-H/FFA dairy cattle quality will follow showmanship.

• 1 p.m.: Clubs can decorate their club area in the exhibit hall until 5 p.m.

• 3-4 p.m.: Beef weigh-in (beef barn)

• 4:30 p.m.: Beef exhibitor meeting (beef barn)

• 5-9 p.m.: Enter flowers

• 5:30 p.m.: 4-H and FFA members meet with swine judge (beef barn)

• 6 p.m.: Swine showmanship (beef barn)

• 9 p.m.: All 4-H and FFA livestock in place

Wednesday, Aug. 13

• 8 a.m.: 4-H/FFA market swine quality show. 4-H/FFA breeding classes to follow market show.

• 11 a.m.: 4-H and FFA rabbit show (4-H exhibit hall)

• Noon: All 4-H and FFA small animals in place

• 2 p.m.: Cat show (4-H exhibit hall)

• 7 p.m.: Parade

• 8 p.m.: Family night at the carnival ($1 rides)

• 8:30 p.m.: Bronze sculpture dedication for Leo and May Rice Memorial (fairgrounds)

• 9 p.m.: Street dance (Sidetrack Bar)

Thursday, Aug. 14

• 8 a.m.: Enter field crops

• 8 a.m.: 4-H and FFA members meet with poultry judge (sheep barn)

• 8:30 a.m.: 4-H and FFA members meet with beef judge (beef barn)

• 8:30 a.m.: 4-H and FFA poultry show (sheep barn)

• 9 a.m.: Judging of 4-H and FFA beef breeding show

• 10 a.m.: 4-H/FFA beef showmanship

• 1 p.m.: Judging of 4-H and FFA market beef quality

• 7:45 p.m.: Rodeo interviews, Andy James Arena

• 8 p.m.: Family night at the PRCA Rodeo (free rodeo passes for 4-H and FFA members and leaders). A timed event slack will be held immediately following the rodeo.

• 10 p.m.: Garage Boys Band at Chute 7

Friday, Aug. 15

• 9 a.m.: 4-H and FFA master showmanship contest (instructions given in beef barn)

• 10 a.m.: Registration for rodeo reunion

• 11 a.m.: Tough Enough to Wear Pink Luncheon

• 1 p.m.: 4-H small animal master showmanship contest (instructions given in the exhibit hall)

• 7:45 p.m.: Rodeo interview, Andy James Arena

• 8 p.m.: PRCA Rodeo: Tough Enough to Wear Pink night

• 10 p.m.: Garage Boys Band at Chute 7

Saturday, Aug. 16

• 10 a.m.: 4-H and FFA market animal sale (sheep, goats, beef and pigs)

• 10 a.m.: Rocky Mountain Exceptional Rodeo, Andy James Arena

• 11 a.m.: 4-H and FFA buyer appreciation barbecue (open to public)

• Noon: Rodeo reunion dinner and presentation

• 2 p.m.: 4-H livestock judging contest (beef barn)

• 7:45 p.m.: Rodeo interview, Andy James Arena

• 8 p.m.: PRCA Rodeo — 4-H buyer appreciation night and parade of champions (grand and reserve market animal sale)

• 10 p.m.: Garage Boys Band at Chute 7

Sunday, Aug. 17

• 9-11 a.m.: Pick up exhibits and premium checks if you haven’t done so already. No premium checks will be given out after Aug. 29.

• 1 p.m.: Caring Cowboys calf roping

West Nile Virus Found In Mosquito In The Magic Valley

The West Nile Virus has been found in Twin Falls County according to the South Central Public Health District. A mosquito carrying the disease was found in a pool between Kimberly and Twin Falls the first week of August. It's the first case of the virus found in the Magic Valley but other mosquitos carrying the West Nile Virus have been found in the Treasure Valley near Meridian. 

“TFCPAD traps mosquitoes to test for the virus throughout Twin Falls County during the summer. Some species are more prone to carrying diseases than others and we try to focus our work on those species. We have already increased surveillance and treatment in the area of the positive pools,” Kirk Tubbs, TFCPAD Manager. “In light of all the recent rain, it is important that people drain standing water from all containers around their houses. Standing water is where mosquitoes lay their eggs and larva develop prior to hatching.”

About West Nile Virus

West Nile is a potentially serious illness that is usually spread to animals and humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people infected with West Nile do not show symptoms. However, people with symptoms may experience fever, headaches, body aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, eye pain, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash typically occurring 2 to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. More severe infections may involve the central nervous system.

West Nile Virus Precautions

• When you are outdoors, use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient, such as DEET or Picaridin (apply it according to manufacturers’ instructions.) Parents are advised not to apply repellant that contains more than 10 percent DEET on their children. In addition, certain products which contain permethrin are recommended for use on clothing, shoes, bed nets, and camping gear. Follow the directions on the package.

• Use insect repellent and wear long sleeves, pants, and loose-fitting clothing at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active and feeding. If possible, consider staying indoors during these hours.

• Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.

• Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by draining standing water from flower pots, buckets, and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths and feeding troughs, at least twice a week. Drill holes in tire swings or old tires so water drains out. Keep children’s wading pools empty or on their sides when not in use.

• Don’t over-irrigate your lawns, gardens, or pastures.

West Nile Virus is considered endemic to Idaho and everyone in the Magic Valley should take precautions, not just those in Twin Falls.

The Jerome Fair Wraps Up On A Not So Good Note

It wasn't the best of years for the Jerome County Fair. Weather hampered the fair and events both Tuesday and Wednesday. In fact heavy rain kept most fairgoers away from the fairgrounds Wednesday. Attendance was down Tuesday and Wednesday over 90% compared to normal years. The heavy rain also flooded the grass parking lot near the fairgrounds and several vehicles had to be towed from the mud pit.

Thursday and Friday were better days for the fair with nice weather for the Thursday Night PRCA Rodeo and the Friday Night Pig Wrestling.

Some of the folks from KMVT participated in the pig wrestling. 

Here's a link to the story KMVT did about the pig wrestling. http://www.kmvt.com/news/latest/Pig-Wrestling-at-the-Jerome-County-Fair-270564861.html

But bad luck impacted the fair again on Saturday. A lawn mower racing circuit which was booked for the Saturday Evening event cancelled at the last minute which forced fair officials to issue refunds to those who had purchased tickets for the event.

Governor Butch Otter made a quick appearance at the Jerome County Fair on Saturday following his attendance at the American Veterans Traveling Tribute Traveling Wall Ceremony at Summit Elementary School in Jerome. His appearance at the Fair comes just days after Democratic Candidate A.J. Balukoff also made a stop at the Jerome County Fair.

Needless to say a string of bad luck definitely hurt this year's Jerome County Fair.

American Veterans Traveling Tribute Traveling Wall Stops In Jerome

The American Veterans Traveling Tribute Traveling Wall Stopped in Jerome this past week. The wall was in Jerome at Summit Elementary School from Wednesday, August 6th through today, Sunday, August the 10th.

The wall is an 80 percent scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. It features the name of every armed forces member that lost their life in the Vietnam War.

A ceremony was held Saturday Morning at 10:00 AM. Idaho Governor Butch Otter attended the ceremony and spoke to attendees.

The wall will remain open to the public until 2:00 PM today. A closing ceremony will take place this afternoon at 2:00 PM before the wall is dismantled and leaves Jerome.

The Jerome City Council and Mayor David Davis are committed to planning more Vietnam War Ceremonies in the upcoming years.

Pork Barbacoa

This Pork Barbacoa is so good. For those who have been to Cafe Rio and have had the Pork Barbacoa Salad or Burrito know that it is to die for. With this simple at home recipe even families who are busy can make and enjoy this dish. Make and serve on tortillas for tacos, put on top of salad or wrap it up and make a burrito.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds Boneless Rib Meat Pork

• 3 cans Coca Cola (NOT Diet)

• 1/4 cup Brown Sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Salt

• 1/4 cup Water

• 1 can diced Green Chilies

• 3/4 (10oz) can Red Enchilada Sauce

• 1 cup Brown Sugar

Directions:

1. Put the pork in a heavy duty Ziplock bag to marinade.
2. Add about a can and a half of coke and about 1/4 cup of the brown sugar.
3. Marinade for a few hours or overnight.
4. Drain marinade and put pork, 1/2 can of coke, water, and garlic salt in crock pot on high for about 3-4 hours (or until it shreds easily, but don’t let it get TOO dry) or on low for 8 hours.
5. Remove pork from crock pot and drain any liquid left in the pot.
6. Shred pork.
7. In a food processor or blender, blend 1/2 can Coke, chilies, enchilada sauce and remaining brown sugar (about a cup, you can add a little more or less to taste..). If it looks too thick, add more Coke little by little.
8. Put shredded pork and sauce in crockpot and cook on low for 2 hours.

A Little Rain Didn't Stop The Jerome County Fair Parade Tuesday Evening.

While there were a few light showers, the rain didn't stop the Jerome County Fair Parade Tuesday Evening. The parade had over 70 participants and thousands of people filled Main Street in Jerome to watch the parade. The Crossroads Farmers Market won the best entry in the parade followed by Garibaldis Mexican Restaurant.

National Weather Service Calls Today's Flood Once in 100-150 Years

The National Weather Service called the flooding that took place in Twin Falls a once in a 100-150 year event! Nearly four inches of rain has fallen in Twin Falls since Monday and more rain could fall tonight and on Thursday. Here are just some pictures that do this natural disaster more justice than words ever could. Submit your pictures to us and we will share them! Just email them to us at Webmaster@SouthernIdahoJournal.com.