ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – One of the central aspects of the U.P. State Fair is youth exhibitors showcasing their animals.
Now age 19, Scarlett Hanson has been showing animals at fairs since she was nine.
“This is my two-year-old senior Japanese harlequin buck, Gnocchi,” she said. “This breed is used for meat rabbits. It’s not as common up here in Northern Michigan as it would be down south, but these are excellent meat-quality animals.”
Gnocchi is just one of ten class four rabbits Hanson is showing this year. Each breed is judged on a unique set of criteria.
“The Holland Lops that I have, their body style is called upright compact, meaning their body is nice and tight, close together, with their head held high,” Hanson explained. “There’s also things such as cylindrical, semi-arch, and full arch. We also have running breeds as well in this barn, meaning very energetic, hare-like animals that are large, fast, and just absolutely beautiful animals.”
Gnocchi’s body type is commercial.
“His legs are supposed to be right underneath his eyes, where his hind legs should be kind of lined up with his thighs, and you should have a nice arch,” said Hanson. “Unfortunately, he is blowing his coat, which means he is shedding, so he does kind of look a little scruffy, but he poses the best out of all my rabbits right now.”
According to Hanson, getting a rabbit ready for the U.P. State Fair is a commitment that should not be taken lightly.
“It should be a year-round thing,” she said. “You should be pulling your rabbit at least twice a week, posing them, making sure their fur is nice and combed out. During this time of year, they’re building that thicker winter coat in so they don’t develop hypothermia within the winter months.”
Having spent a decade caring for her animals and taking them to fairs, Hanson has learned a lot of important skills and life lessons. She plans to continue showing animals into adulthood.
“It helps build public relations with people,” she said. “It also helps with sociability. My younger brother has certain learning disabilities. He had just recently shown a rabbit at our county fair, and he absolutely just blossomed. He was talking to everybody; he was showing everybody his rabbit. I love animals; they give me a purpose. I think that’s beneficial for everybody.”
The U.P. State Fair has a full schedule of animal shows planned through Sunday. Click here to see all show locations and times.
