The Moore family has been participating in the county fair since the early 1940s, starting with Rick Moore’s father, Stan, and his brother, Dick, showing horses, feeder calves and lambs.
“My parents Stan and Jo were 4-H advisors when I was growing up,” Rick shared. “My sister, Vicki, and I started 4-H as soon as we could in 1966–1968.”
Dick’s children continued on in the fair, showing lambs and doing woodworking projects.
While Vicki did cooking and sewing in addition to showing lambs, Rick stuck with just lambs, “mainly because we raised sheep on our family farm,” he said. “Most of the time I really enjoyed it, I got to run around the fair for a week and didn’t have to work at home.”
With over 80 years of fair experience, the Moores are deeply rooted in the yearly event. Rick’s wife, Marcie, showed sewing projects while in 4-H and was an advisor while their children were in the organization.
“All three of our children participated in 4-H from age 9 until they graduated,” Rick said. All three kids showed lambs and horses because the family raised lambs and they each enjoyed riding horses. They also each took on other projects as well. “Our oldest daughter, Shelly, had sewing projects. Sheri, our middle daughter, took cooking and sewing projects. Steven, our son, tried woodworking projects.”
The fair runs through the blood of the Moore family, with the tradition passed down for many generations.
“Five of our grandchildren have been or are currently in 4-H. They have shown lambs, feeder calves, pigs, ducks, steers and horses,” Rick said. “They have also done welding and shooting sports.”
The grandkids range in age from 10 to 22 and seem to enjoy the fair quite a bit. Hopefully, they will continue the family legacy and encourage their future children to learn patience, diligence and responsibility through 4-H.
“Their favorite part is being at the fair all week with friends and making new friends,” Rick said. “We, as grandparents, enjoy attending the fair to watch them show their animals and visiting with friends and neighbors. Watching my kids and grandkids participate in 4-H has been very rewarding.”
With the experiences of the fair over many years, Rick shared a few words of wisdom to anyone just starting out: “Find something you enjoy, be nice and take advantage of the opportunity.”
