Steamboat Pilot & Today

Hayden — Like most of the contest’s participants, Alley Kvols, 6, is a regular. She’s dressed up a chicken, a dog and now Muffin, a mini lop rabbit, for the Dress Your Animal Contest, held Friday at the Routt County Fair.

In keeping with the fair’s theme this year — sew it, grow it, show it — Alley’s mother, Ann, sewed the costumes for Alley and Muffin’s flower garden theme. Muffin seemed quite at ease in a red gingham apron and straw hat, complete with ear loops. Ann Kvols said Muffin endured the fitting well and even said dressing the rabbit was fun.

Alley took home first place in her division, towing Muffin in a wagon decorated with red-checkered ribbon matching their outfits. She hardly seemed ready to stop circling the pen as the next contestant entered.

Larhae Whaley, 6, and her rabbit, Stud, based their costumes on "The Tale of Peter Rabbit." Stud was nestled in a basket set in a wheelbarrow full of straw, vegetables (presumably from Mr. McGregor’s garden) and sunflowers while Larhae rocked the wheelbarrow gently before her turn came. Larhae’s sister, Addison Sue, 2, performed a Huck Finn theme with her kitten.

The younger division also saw turns by Kodi Ingols, 7, with Mr. Sheep — dressed in camo and hunter orange while presenting a message of hunting safety — and Jacey Matt, 5, and her brother Justin, 3, with Juliet the goat — presenting the theme 4-H Rocks! with handkerchiefs embroidered by their grandmother Karen Myers, who owns Colorado Embroidery in Steamboat.

In the juniors division for older participants, Lauren Hilley, 9, walked away with top honors. Lauren said her favorite part of the yearly contest is writing the story that is read while the contestants strut in the ring. She prepared an impressive work of short fiction that complemented her pioneer theme as she circled with her bantam hen, Mocha, in her arms.

Peyton Parker, 8, filled out the junior division, carrying her pink camo-clad goat the circumference of the pen.

All the contestants took a final turn before awards were handed out, most sure to be back again next year.

The fair continues Saturday, with the junior livestock sale scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Building. View a full fair schedule here.

To reach Michael Schrantz, call 970-871-4206 or email mschrantz@SteamboatToday.com