Confused chickens win poultry dress-up contest at fair

Steven Peters had to react quickly to stop a would-be runaway bride Sunday afternoon at the SEMO District Fair.

The 12-year-old from Cape Girardeau was the lone entrant in the fair's poultry and rabbit dress-up contest.

He dressed his chickens -- a white Leghorn hen and a black bantam rooster with shimmering tail feathers -- as a bride and groom, complete with leg bands attached to a tiny satin pillow in place of rings, and bags of wheat for guests to throw instead of rice.

The bride wore a white satin gown and white lace veil. The groom wore a black bow tie and a bewildered expression as several children showered the birds with wheat.

The bride appeared less than enthusiastic about her arranged marriage, making several futile attempts to shed her gown and escape from her young handler during the proceedings.

"Did you practice this at home?" asked Dortha Strack, director of 4-H exhibits and announcer for the event.

Peters nodded. "Uh-huh."

"And they were good at home?" Strack asked.

Peters confirmed that they were.

Despite the lack of competition, Peters' chickens drew a positive response from the crowd of spectators gathered on the bleachers to watch.

"Since we have one contestant, let's have a vote and see who thinks Steven should win this trophy," Strack said, prompting enthusiastic applause and cheers from the crowd.

Peters, who has been raising chickens since first grade, said he chose this particular pair from his family's flock of about 75 birds because they were older and calmer than some of the younger animals, but they still had to adjust to the idea of wearing something besides feathers.

"It took pretty long to get them used to it, because they really didn't like it at first," he said.

After Peters collected his trophy, Strack invited children from the audience to participate in rooster-crowing and hen-clucking contests.

Kandy Peek, 4-H superintendent, awarded trophies to 11-year-old Alan Candy of Dutchtown and 10-year-old Nick Huffman of Cape Girardeau for their enthusiastic performances.

The spur-of-the-moment crowing and clucking contests drew six participants.

Peek said participation in the dress-up contest has dwindled since it began more than 15 years ago.

"I think the 4-H kids have gotten older and don't have time," Peek said, noting that the contest used to draw 12 to 15 participants a year.

She and Strack said sports and other activities have cut into children's free time.

"It's sad, but I know we're competing with all the sports and all," Strack said.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

Arena Park, Cape Girardeau, Mo.