Costumed animals bring cheers, laughs at fair
FRANKLIN TWP — Two adorable officers took several furry inmates into custody, then paraded them around Roper’s Ring to a cheering crowd at the Big Butler Fair.
“She was arrested for kidnapping five babies from strangers,” said “officer” Andi Foertsch, who was dressed in full SWAT gear for the occasion.
This was not a case of rough justice. Andi, 9, and her sister Kinzi, 7, of Saxonburg, were part of the animal costume contest on Wednesday, July 5, at the fair. Dressed as police officers with their six costumed rabbits playing inmates, the sisters were able to take home the blue ribbon during this year’s animal costume contest.
This year’s event had 11 different classes, ranging from goats to alpacas, with nearly 30 participants of all ages competing for ribbons and cash prizes.
Members of the Butler Fair Court were responsible for choosing the winners, a duty they took with sincerity.
“We’re looking for authenticity,” Butler County Fair Queen Kendyl Steighner said. “We’re looking for creativity and people who took time and effort in the costumes.”
Spectators packed the stands to cheer, and sometimes laugh, as participants strolled around Roper’s ring showing off their pageantry and their animals.
Patty and Rick Hunziker of Moon Township never miss an opportunity to see the animals and owners strut their creativity.
“We used to come out here for years with our kids,” Patty said. “And now, even with our kids grown, we still come out to see the animals.”
This year’s competition was steep and required more than just a creative costume design to win the judges’ favor. Some participants put on a show.
“I literally was just trying to think of a unique idea,” said Holly Peterman, who was part of a trio for this year’s Driving Horse and Pony category.
Peterman, along with Rachael and Rebecca Mogielski and Pony Bella, dressed in outfits out of a Richard Simmon’s exercise video.
Bella, the star of the show, had the curly hair wig and signature shorts, striking an uncanny resemblance to the ’80s exercise superstar.
Rachael and Peterman were the aerobic instructors, dancing along the arena as Bella strutted.
Rebecca sat comfortably with a box of cookies on the cart, which they had transformed into a signature Zenith television, complete with a VHF dial.
“We do this every year,” Peterman said. “And I was trying to think of something that would incorporate all of us and I was like, ‘Richard Simmons, why not?’ I love to work out.”
Bella was rewarded with the blue ribbon in their class for the performance.
Clint Cehily, the Butler Fair and Agricultural Association board of directors vice president, even got a chance to partake in the fun.
Dressed as Russell from the 2009 Pixar film “Up,” Cehily was a crowd favorite in the Horse category. Cehily had a clear message for those who came to see him and the participants during the annual costume contest.
“Everybody is a winner at the Big Butler Fair,” Cehily said.
