When the heat builds up in the livestock barn on a hot July day, a cooling mist of water gives welcome relief to animals at the Lucas County Fair. In this 1998 Blade archive photo, Kate Barney, 3, squirts a contented looking pig with a shot of water to the snout. Young Kate was doing her part to keep her cousin’s pig cool that day, an important job to prevent heat stress. In addition to livestock judging, fairgoers that year enjoyed rides, food, exhibits and even a live shark show and a wrestling bear. This year, the Lucas County fair runs from Monday through Sunday. Free days for Lucas County residents are Thursday and Saturday. Go to thebladevault.com/memories to purchase more historical photos taken by our award-winning staff of photographers, past and present, or to purchase combinations of stories and photos.
