Elodie Frisk shows a turkey at the 4-H Agriculture Expo in Soldotna, Alaska, on Aug. 5, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Elodie Frisk shows a turkey at the 4-H Agriculture Expo in Soldotna, Alaska, on Aug. 5, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Animals take the stage at 4-H expo

Contestants were judged on the quality of the animal or showmanship of the handler

Prize-winning poultry, pigs, rabbits, cows and goats were on display during animal shows on the first day of the 4-H Agriculture Expo in Soldotna. Starting at 9 a.m., contestants entered a large closed space to be judged on either quality of the animal or showmanship of the handler.

Shows began with the small animals, gradually moving up to the largest. Rabbits went first, followed by the poultry — chickens, turkeys, and even a couple of ducks — then the pigs, goats and cows.

Levi Rankin was named grand champion for his showmanship of a turkey. He explained that showmanship is much more about the qualities of the showman than the animal being shown. “They’re judging every single second,” he said. Judges watch how the animal is taken from the cage and led to the arena, how they are held and how they are shown. Rankin attributes his success to years of experience and guidance from his three older siblings.

The poultry shows were quiet affairs, the birds sitting with their owners as the judges proceeded around the arena. The pig shows were much more raucous. The pigs had to be corralled from their pens to the arena, then trotted in circles while judges appraised them. Fights broke out every few seconds, as the pigs bit at the competition. Show staff often had to quickly intervene by placing hand-held walls between the animals.

Aside from the main event, animals could be viewed around the sports complex ice rink alongside some other booths. Food trucks were available in the parking lot. Classes and workshops were held in classrooms next to the ice rink, far removed from the action.

The 4-H agriculture expo will continue throughout the weekend with an animal auction Saturday morning and a horse show and dog tricks on Sunday.

Levi Rankin shows a turkey at the 4-H Agriculture Expo in Soldotna, Alaska, on Aug. 5, 2022. Rankin was named Grand Champion in showmanship for this turkey showing. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Levi Rankin shows a turkey at the 4-H Agriculture Expo in Soldotna, Alaska, on Aug. 5, 2022. Rankin was named Grand Champion in showmanship for this turkey showing. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Levi Rankin shows a turkey to a judge at the 4-H Agriculture Expo in Soldotna, Alaska, on Aug. 5, 2022. Rankin was named Grand Champion in showmanship for this turkey showing. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Levi Rankin shows a turkey to a judge at the 4-H Agriculture Expo in Soldotna, Alaska, on Aug. 5, 2022. Rankin was named Grand Champion in showmanship for this turkey showing. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Pigs enter the arena to be shown at the 4-H Agriculture Expo in Soldotna, Alaska, on Aug. 5, 2022 (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Pigs enter the arena to be shown at the 4-H Agriculture Expo in Soldotna, Alaska, on Aug. 5, 2022 (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Abriella Werner shows a pig alongside another contestant at the 4-H Agriculture Expo in Soldotna, Alaska, on Aug. 5, 2022

Abriella Werner shows a pig alongside another contestant at the 4-H Agriculture Expo in Soldotna, Alaska, on Aug. 5, 2022

Attendees look on the arena where animals are being shown at the 4-H Agriculture Expo in Soldotna, Alaska, on Aug. 5, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Attendees look on the arena where animals are being shown at the 4-H Agriculture Expo in Soldotna, Alaska, on Aug. 5, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Award-winning rabbits on display at the 4-H Agriculture Expo in Soldotna, Alaska, on Aug. 5, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Award-winning rabbits on display at the 4-H Agriculture Expo in Soldotna, Alaska, on Aug. 5, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Turkeys on display at the 4-H Agriculture Expo in Soldotna, Alaska, on Aug. 5, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Turkeys on display at the 4-H Agriculture Expo in Soldotna, Alaska, on Aug. 5, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A goat waits to be shown at the 4-H Agriculture Expo in Soldotna, Alaska, on Aug. 5, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A goat waits to be shown at the 4-H Agriculture Expo in Soldotna, Alaska, on Aug. 5, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Rayna Reynolds tends to her cow at the 4-H Agriculture Expo in Soldotna, Alaska, on Aug. 5, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Rayna Reynolds tends to her cow at the 4-H Agriculture Expo in Soldotna, Alaska, on Aug. 5, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

More in News

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, a Soldotna Republican who co-chairs the House Education Committee, speaks in favor overriding a veto of Senate Bill 140 during floor debate of a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Monday. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
By 1 vote, lawmakers sustain Dunleavy veto of education bill

The bipartisan bill included $680 increase to per-student funding

The Sterling Highway crosses the Kenai River near the Russian River Campground on March 15, 2020, near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Russian River Campground closed for construction

The campground is expected to reopen on June 2

A man fishes in the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)
Fish and Game announces series of closures and restrictions for king salmon fisheries

Cook Inlet king salmon stocks are experiencing a prolonged period of poor productivity, the department said

Montessori materials sit on shelves in a classroom at Soldotna Montessori Charter School on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Education debate draws state attention to peninsula charter schools

Dunleavy would like to see a shift of authority over charter school approvals from local school districts to the state

The Nikiski Senior Center stands under sunlight in Nikiski, Alaska, on Thursday, March 14, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Support available for community caregivers

Nikiski Senior Center hosts relaunched Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program

Flags flank the entrance to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office on Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dunleavy vetoes bipartisan education bill

Senate Bill 140 passed the House by a vote of 38-2 and the Senate by a vote of 18-1 last month

The Alaska State Capitol on Friday, March 1, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
House passes bill altering wording of sex crimes against children

The bill is sponsored by Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer

Ben Meyer and Brandon Drzazgowski present to the Soldotna and Kenai Chambers of Commerce at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Watershed Forum gives update on streambank restoration

The watershed forum and other organizations are working to repair habitat and mitigate erosion

The entrance to the Kenai Police Department, as seen in Kenai, Alaska, on April 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai resident arrested on charges of arson

Kenai Police and Kenai Fire Department responded to a structure fire near Mountain View Elementary

Most Read