(La Porte County, IN) - In some ways, the La Porte County Fair is like a barber shop or hair salon for sheep.

 

The sheep received what could be viewed as a haircut and shave before being shown to the judges Monday in the sheep barn.

 

Chris Frazier used his electric trimmers to remove the wool from a lamb shown by one of his children in the 4-H program and then applied a liquid similar to aftershave to prevent skin rash.

 

Frazier said a cool head and sharp clippers are vital for giving a sheep a great trim.

 

“They like to jump around, so you really have to keep your patience and work with them. Go nice and slow,” Frazier said.

In many ways, Frazier said a sheep has to be handled like a child being restless in a barber’s chair.

 

“They act more like a kid. They don’t want to sit still,” Frazier explained.

Frazier, who has about a half dozen sheep at his home outside La Porte, sells the wool from his sheep to a spinner who turns the material into yarn. The sheep were also given a shower, blow-drying, and a final trimming and brush before entering the show arena.

 

Catherine Mrozinski helped her nephew, Ethan Hale, 12, wash down and groom the sheep he displayed before the judges on Monday.

 

“It’s literally a beauty parlor for sheep right now,” Mrozinski said.

Mrozinski said a sheep looking its best is vital for achieving the highest score possible.

 

“You want to get it the cleanest and the best presented you can out in the ring to show off all of the hard work the 4-H’ers did all summer long,” Mrozinski said.