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It’s a family affair at the fair
OKANOGAN VALLEY GAZETTE-TRIBUNE | AUGUST 30, 2018
BY LAURA KNOWLTON REPORTER@GAZETTE-TRIBUNE.COM
TONASKET — Harper, Wyatt and Bristol, brother and sisters, from Tonasket, are excited to be entering a steer, pig, bunny and chicken in this year’s Okanogan County Fair. The fair is something that is very important to the family. The children’s mother, Karen Latimer, has been involved with the fair since she was two-years-old. Latimer says that teaching her children the responsibility of raising animals that are completely dependant on them and how to manage their money, while reaping the rewards of their hard work, are all values she wants to teach her children through the experience of the fair. “The kids spend most of their summer days in with their animals in the pens. Whether they are working with them or feeding them. They always go out first thing in the morning and again in the evening before they eat their own dinner,” said Latimer. Along with raising the animals, the children have learned perse-
Karen Latimer/submitted photos
Right, Wyatt McDaniel, Harper Latimer and Bristol Latimer are getting geared up for the Okanogan County Fair. Above, Wyatt stands with his cow that he will show in the fair, and Harper hold her bunny, Jack. verance and patience. According to the children’s mother, waiting for fair to arrive is hard for the kids to understand. The kids love dressing their chickens and bunnies and making creative costumes for their animals. Raising animals brings lots of adventure and fun moments for the kids. “Early this spring, while having their cousins over, the piglets’ gate had been left open and the
tiny little things escaped. It was a wild race to capture them. It was hilarious watching the kids trying to get them back in their pen,” she said. The fair is a family event and one the Latimer family looks forward to every year. The kids are already thinking of what they want to take next year. “We love the fair, it’s a great learning experience for the kids and we look forward to it year round.”
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