VENTURA COUNTY FAIR : 12-DAY EXTRAVAGANZA BY THE SEA STARTS.Byline: Alicia Doyle Daily News Staff Writer Her body still before the curious crowd, she watched from the corner of her eye as his strong, steady hands moved slowly over her back, gently removing her coat an inch at a time. ``She likes the attention,'' said Bob Walters, a professional sheep shearer A sheep shearer is a worker who uses (hand-powered)-blade or machine shears to remove the wool from sheep. In most countries with large sheep populations the shearer is one of a team of contractors that go from place to place shearing sheep and preparing the wool for for 20 years. ``She likes being touched and handled. But there are always a few that don't.'' The 6-month-old Suffolk sheep Suffolk sheep, relatively large breed, developed in England, well-known for its high quality meat. Considered to be a recent introduction to the United States, the breed has many desirable qualities and is becoming widely accepted there. was among 30 breeds being snipped, brushed and shampooed for competition Wednesday on opening day of the Ventura County Fair. Walters, who raises sheep on his San Miguel San Miguel (sän mēgĕl`), city (1993 pop. 118,214), E El Salvador, at the foot of San Miguel volcano (6,996 ft/2,132 m). It has textile, rope, and dairy-products industries. The region produces cotton, henequen, and vegetable oil. ranch in San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo (săn l  `ĭs ōbĭs`pō), city (1990 pop. 41,958), seat of San Luis Obispo co., S Calif., near San Luis Obispo Bay; inc. 1856. County, hauled 16 of his finest wool-bearing livestock to the seaside event, where hundreds showed up to enjoy the first balmy day of festivities fes·tiv·i·ty n. pl. fes·tiv·i·ties 1. A joyous feast, holiday, or celebration; a festival. 2. The pleasure, joy, and gaiety of a festival or celebration. 3. . People of all ages came to sample Polish sausage and pizza, sip homemade lemonade and eat cotton candy. Some started the day with a spin on one of three Ferris wheels. Others were more enticed by the hatching baby chicks, the donkeys and the rabbits. Four-year-old Lauren Parker of Camarillo spent most of the morning watching 11 pink piglets nurse from their sleeping mother. Simi Valley resident Kristen Dobin, 13, came to show off her prize-winning thoroughbred, Freckles freckles Ephilides Brown macules, often exacerbated on sun-exposed zones of the skin surface, which disappear during the winter, and most commonly affecting the fair-skinned, especially of Celtic stock. See Macule. Cf Nevus. , on opening day of the equestrian competition. David Hessler, 71, is a veteran fairgoer - this year is his 10th visit to the Ventura County Fair with his wife, Betty. ``We just like to see all the animals and kids and exhibits,'' said David Hessler of Thousand Oaks. ``We're not really into the rides.'' Last year, more than 5,000 Ventura County residents entered more than 21,000 exhibits from floriculture floriculture Branch of ornamental horticulture concerned with growing and marketing flowers and ornamental plants, as well as with flower arrangement. Because flowers and potted plants are largely produced in plant-growing structures in temperate climates, floriculture is to amateur fine arts. This year's 12-day fair features as many exhibitors as last year, organizers say. More than 21,000 entries will be on display in 30 categories including gems and minerals, flowers and plants, models and collections. The 17th annual chili cook-off, Alaskan pig racing and a junior livestock auction are also planned. Susie Berndt and her two daughters drove from Los Angeles to attend the Ventura County Fair for the first time. Ashley Berndt, 10, was most impressed with the equestrian show because she wants to be a rider someday. Her mom said the drive was well worth a day at the fair. ``It's wonderful,'' Susie Berndt said. ``It's enough to bring us back again.'' CAPTION(S): 2 Photos, Box, Map Photo: (1--color) Linda Sierota of Granada Hil ls and her 3-year-old son Jamie get a Ferris-eye view Wednesday of the Ventura County fairgrounds n. pl. 1. same as fairground. . (2--color in SIMI edition only) Kristen Dobin, 13, of Simi Valley gets a smooch from Freckles. Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News Box: (ran in CONEJO only) COUNTY FAIR Map: (ran in CONEJO only) Ventura County Fair |
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