SJ sparks spring fair season

Spring is in the air, and the proof is in St. John this weekend, as the town’s annual Stock Show and Community Fair kicks off today.

The big St. John show typically strikes up Whitman County’s spring fair season.

The annual festival of all things St. John begins with the town’s artisans, crafters and florists entering their work in the Home Ec Building today.

New this year is a special cupcake decoration contest. The finest young cupcake crafters will have their works on display.

Animal judging begins at 9 a.m. Friday, with sheep judging kicking off the events. Fitting and showing continues through the morning, with goats inspected at 9:45, swine at 10 a.m., beef at 11 a.m.

Conformation classes take over after lunch, with beef judging at 1 p.m., sheep at 2 p.m., goats at 3 p.m. and swine at 3:30.

Saturday starts bright and early with the cowboy breakfast getting underway at the cook shack at 6:30 a.m. Fairgoers can run off the extra calories in the 32nd annual Hog Jog. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the race starts at 8:30.

The annual parade down Front Street begins at high noon. Organizers Greg and Kathy Schauble report cash prizes will be awarded to the best decorated golf cart, best matching pet-and-owner combination, “grossest” hunting truck and anything drawn by horses.

The parade leads to the fairgrounds, where the Stock Show Queen will be crowned. St. John’s show cars will be on display; 4H and FFAers will have their horse show.

Sunday morning caps fair week with the annual Pig Put golf tournament. Registration is at 9 a.m. and the shotgun start for the tourney is at 10 a.m.