By JESSICA SIEFF
Niles Daily Star

Evidence of Monday’s heavy rains remained visible at the Berrien County Youth Fair grounds, Tuesday. As visitors streamed in, edging slowly up and down rows of parked cars, they were forced to veer away from where thick mud showed deep rivets where previous vehicles had gotten stuck trying to make their way through.

Also evident at the fairgrounds that afternoon – that not rain nor the heat were going to keep anyone’s spirits down.

Tuesday was Children’s Day at the fair – and from youngsters to teenagers, the lines were long outside fair rides and food stands and crowds of visitors filtered through barns featuring prize winning animals, crafts, foods and flowers.

School age children through high school were admitted free and ride tickets were discounted for most of the day.

Officials were busy, as judges evaluated equine contestants for fitting and showmanship, as well as swine, rabbits, poultry, litter barrels, dogs and cats. Just a handful of ribbon winners from Tuesday included:  Camden Roth of Niles who won first place for swine showmanship, champion swine herdsman-intermediate and overall champion swine herdsman, Dale Robson Farm award.

Emily Wagner, also of Niles, also took home the Connie Norris Hughey Trophy with first place for swine showmanship, intermediate division and Danielle Foster came in second place in swine showmanship, senior division.

Niles’ Elizabeth Coulston was awarded first place for the Jake Busick Family Trophy for sheep showmanship and breeding, sheep showmanship senior division and for showmanship in dairy and cart, dairy goat showmanship, intermediate, Kelsey Clear of Niles came in first and was awarded the Terry Ketcham Stack Trophy.

Events continue Wednesday under a threat of rain and thunderstorms later in the afternoon. Along with a day full of judging, child stars, musicians and entertainers Nat and Alex Wolff will take to the stage with a concert beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Grandstand. Tickets are still available.