Monday’s rain couldn’t dampen Alyvia Baker’s spirit, especially after winning the grand champion title in market rabbits at the Berrien County Fair. Baker, 10, of Buchanan showed her two white New Zealand rabbits in Monday’s show.

While this was her first year showing rabbits, Baker is no novice to showing animals and has returned every summer to bring home at least one trophy.

Her great-grandfather, the late Gene Baker was a long-time volunteer and superintendent of the Berrien County Fair. The championship pen was named in his honor.

Other families in the market rabbit showing also followed tradition on Monday.

Coy Weinberg, 9, of Buchanan won reserve grand champion for market rabbits. Like Baker, this was his first win in the rabbit category, but coming to the Berrien County Fair with his family is a tradition.

On Monday, Coy had won the second of two prizes in the Berrien County Fair — with the first being for Sunday’s restored furniture contest.

His mom, Lisa Weinberg, said that the family was a bit surprised that Coy won in market rabbits because it was only his first year.

“This is shocking. It was a big surprise,” said Coy’s mom Lisa Weinberg.

After the show, Coy held his rabbit, Fuzz Butt and described his personality.

“The personality is calm and sometimes happy,” Coy said.

The calm demeanor of the rabbit was revealed Monday, when Coy said the rabbit fell asleep while being judged.

But letting the rabbit rest is always an essential part of their care said Coy. In addition, Coy said giving the rabbit lots of nutritious hay is important.

The good rest and nutrition played an important role in the rabbit’s win. Lisa said that among the many attributes a judge looks for in a rabbit is a lush, quality coat. And Fuzz’s healthy coat was a key to winning, even if he was catching up on beauty sleep while being judged.

Coy has been showing animals at the Berrien County fair since he was 8 years old, but the tradition of showing animals started with Coy’s parents. His mom too was involved in the tradition as a child.

“We (his parents) showed them as kids,” Lisa said.

Now the tradition lives on with her kids.

“This is kind of a family affair,” Lisa said.

The Weinberg’s still farm in Buchanan and raise chickens, goats and pigs.