Fair to say, they love horses

Local teens among many 4-H club members to showcase their talent at the Manatee County Fair.

By Jessica Salmond
| 6:10 a.m. January 13, 2016

Lexi Parks rides her horse, Chance, in barrel racing.

East County
News

When Lexi Parks turns 16, she wants a mustang.

Not the shiny sports car, but a wild horse.

Manatee County Fair celebrates 100 years

This year’s Manatee County Fair marks the centennial anniversary of the original fair association, which was founded in 1916. The original board was called the Manatee County Fair Association, and fairs were held in Bradenton, where McKechnie Field is now located. During the Great Depression, the association disbanded from lack of funds.

In the 1930s, a local group of businesses got the association up and running again, but had to change the name to the Manatee River Fair Association. The fair moved to its current location at the Manatee County Fair Grounds in Palmetto in 1949.

The historical significance of this year’s fair, which runs Thursday, Jan. 14, through Sunday, Jan. 24, will be displayed throughout the grounds, said fair manager Daniel West.

Right after the main entrance, fairgoers can check out the Manatee Exhibit Hall, which will have historical information on display and free commemorative keepsakes.

West and his staff gathered together historical photos throughout the years into a slideshow, which will be playing at various locations.

“It’s been a lot of fun researching the history of the fair over the last year,” he said.

West built a time capsule, and throughout the fair, staff will be taking photos. On the last day, the photos will be put inside the capsule with other commemorative items and it will be sealed until the 2066 fair.

Thanks to her fifth year enrolled in 4-H, Parks has horse fever and plans on having it for a long, long time.

The 12-year-old Haile Middle School student is a member of the Braden River Riders 4-H Club. She and her fellow club members attend shows and clinics about everything horsey, and Parks barrel races with her quarter horse, Chance.

Currently, she is preparing for the horse show the final day of the Manatee County Fair, which begins Thursday and runs through

Jan. 24.

Parks will compete in five classes, including barrel racing and horsemanship.

Parks’ world is filled with hoofed activities, and her future will be, too, with a nod to academics.

“First I want to get good grades,” she said.

Lexi Parks shaved a lightning bolt into Chance's haunch, because he's a barrel racer and she wanted to represent his speed.

Parks plans to attend college and become an equine surgeon. She also wants to breed and train horses on the side.

Without her involvement in 4-H, Parks said she may never have discovered a passion for horses and would probably end up at “some boring desk job.”

Through 4-H, she’s not only gained an in-depth education of her equine friends, but has learned responsibility, public speaking and self-confidence.

The youth organization is sending more than one East County girl toward a career in animal care. Beth Ciemniecki, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, already works part time at Coastal Animal Medical Center and hopes to be a large animal

Beth Ciemniecki gives her pony Honey a treat.

veterinarian.

The 17-year-old has been in 4-H for 10 years and is a member of Hoofprints in the Sand 4-H Club.

Ciemniecki’s room is flagged blue, purple and red from the ribbons she’s accrued from showing her two horses, Honey and Petra. She’s been riding since she was 6.

“Horses, they’re such a big animal but they care about the person riding them,” she said.

She shows cattle and pigs as well. This year, she’ll compete with FFA with a steer and 4-H with her horses at the county fair.

Ciemniecki was crowned Miss Manatee County Fair Queen Saturday, Jan. 9. She said her first trainer used to tell her, “Every once in a while, you have to take off your boots and spurs and put on heels and a nice dress.”

Fair Facts

Admission to the fair is $8 for adults 13 years and up, $7 for seniors 55 years and up, $5 for children 6 to 12 years old, and children 5 and under are free. Active military can show I.D. for a $5 entry. The Belle City Amusement Midway is a separate cost of $20 per person for an entry armband. To see a full list of events and other information, go to manateecountyfair.com.

Highlights

Thursday, Jan. 14
Special: Opening day special, adult admission $4, children $2
5:30 p.m. Kids pedal tractor pull
6 p.m. Swine show
7:30 p.m. Bellamy Brothers concert

Friday, Jan. 15
5 p.m. Rabbit showmanship
6 p.m. Dairy show
7:30 p.m. Mo Pitney concert

Saturday, Jan. 16
1:30 p.m. Hog calling contest
3 p.m. Show-Me Safari pig races
6 p.m. FNGLA plant sale

Sunday, Jan. 17
12:30 p.m. Sally Ann — America’s Country Darlin’ act
2 p.m. Sea lion splash
6:30 p.m. The KeysTones concert

Monday, Jan. 18
Special: Children and students with school I.D. get in free between noon and 3 p.m.
12 p.m. Dog show
1:30 p.m. Corn-dog eating contest
6 p.m. 21st annual cheerleading competition

Tuesday, Jan. 19
Special: Family day, free admission between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.
5 p.m. Show-Me safari petting zoo opens
6 p.m. Goat show
7 p.m. Billy Rice show

Wednesday, Jan. 20
Special: Senior day, 55 and up, $5 entry
1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Photography exhibit by Bob Stone, Florida Cattle Ranching
3 p.m. Suncoast Mummers
6 p.m. Steer showmanship

Thursday, Jan. 21
5:30 p.m. Rock-It the Robot
6 p.m. Steer show
7 p.m. Mountain Faith show

Friday, Jan. 22
5 p.m. Poultry showmanship
6 p.m. Beef breeding show
7:30 p.m. Joe Diffie concert

Saturday, Jan. 23
12 p.m. 9th annual barbecue contest begins; judging at 4 p.m.; awards at 5 p.m.
1 p.m. Baby contest
7 p.m. 4-H and FFA awards ceremony

Sunday, Jan. 24
12 p.m. Horse show
1 p.m. RC racing tournaments
5 p.m. Dennis Lee show