4-H Friends:

Chesterton Middle School 8th graders Matt McClean and Kynan Wallace, both 13, share a moment at the Porter County Fair. Both were checking in their llamas. Matt’s is Ellie, a Chilean llama, while Kynan’s llama is named Mobando.

The glow of success:

Elisabeth Jones, 10, was all smiles once she completed her first Agility Class at the Porter County Fair with Storm, her Labrador Retreiver. Elisabeth, a Brummitt Elementary 4th grader, competed in the Novice division and successfully completed the course. The Fair continues through July 28 with many other animal exhibits and competitions, food, music, rides on the Midway and entertainment in the Grandstand.

Comfort of a friend:

Kaelyn Marcus, 11, of Chesterton, gives her Labrador mix dog Coal a hug after competition in the Junior Class of the Dog Agility competition. Coal was frightened by the many loud noises of the Porter County Fair. In spite of his fears, Coal finished the class for his mistress. Kaelyn is a St. Patrick School 6th grader.

Ready for the Show:

Laura Dujmovich is all smiles with her Australian Shepherd Cocoa just prior to competing in the Intermediate Class of the Dog Agility competition at the Porter County 4-H Fair. Laura, 12, is a Chesterton Middle School 7th grader.

Lovely Llama:

The serene beauty of a llama is just one of the fascinating sights available at the Porter County Fair, which opened Thursday evening. Penny Hineline, 16, showed off her llama Sparkles as she checked in. Hineline, a Chesterton High School junior, is a member of the Boone Grove Harvesters. Llama judging begins tonight at 6:30 p.m. today.

4-H in the family:

The Towner sisters, Kelsey, 13 and Kayla, 11, were both contestants in the Dog Agility Classes at the Porter County 4-H Fair Thursday evening. Kelsey (left), a Chesterton Middle School 8th grader, competed in Junior Agility with her Shetland Sheepdog Maddy, while Kayla, a Westchester Middle School 5th grader, competed in the Novice class with Toby, a Cairn Terrier. The two are members of the Westchester Wombats 4-H Club.

Dads at work:

Setting up the equipment for the Dog Agility Class is hard work. Two dads of 4-Hers pitched in Thursday to get ready for the class. Left to right are Craig Jones, and Paul Sharpe, both of Chesterton. Jones‘ daughter Elisabeth, 10, competed in the Novice Class, while Sharpe’s daughters Maggie, 13 and Annie, 10 competed in the Supreme Class and the Novice Class, respectively.