Our Maryland State Fair...Suggested Tweak in the Animal Department Presentation

For those of us who have had the pleasure of seeing the 1945 movie…State Fair  and words to the wonderful song “....Our State Fair is a Great State Fair….?”  well those words fit the Maryland State Fair at Timonium to a “tee” if you will.  It just gets better and better and better, so help me Hannah!  My great niece said something so sweet to me today as we headed back home from the Fair – “..Aunt Lorna, I’ve been coming with you to the Fair for the last three years (she is 10 years old) it is like a tradition, isn’t it?”  I guess having come every single year for the last 15 years or so with my husband, and our daughter and now my great niece as well truly has become a tradition…."Tradition," yes it has a very nice ring to it.

The trip this year was lovely in so many, many ways.  The sights, sounds, music, laughter and of course all the great food..but for me, most of all, seeing all the wonderful farm animals.  At this point, however, permit me to  turn to a part of the Fair  that has not sat well with me this year. 

If it was part of the festivities last year or even the year before, I guess I missed it altogether.  And that is – the so-called “birthing” area spotlighting at least one cow and one pig, and another area where one can “milk” a cow.  Maybe I am old fashion in a world always working on being cool, but having lived on my Grandparents’ farm for a while, I seem to recall birthing as a joyous time and also one of respect for the animal(s) giving birth in a quiet setting whenever possible.  And I don’t recall strangers being permitted to pull on the cow's utters to practice learning how to milk either.

I came away from the Fair today feeling uncomfortable and just not being able to put my finger on why... well, not right away anyhow.  On the way home it occurred to me just why I was feeling this way.  I thought ".....Am I taking this too far?  Am I being silly?”  If I was hearing correctly, the pregnant animals had received shots to induce labor so that they would actually give birth before a crowd of oooooing and ahhhhhing adults and children.  I am sorry---where is the respect that these darling animals deserve? Is everyone to assume they are not in pain or about to be so?  Why does the term "abuse" come to mind?  Can the animal object?  Probably not, but I can.  Even to the possible prolongation of labor due to stress?  This in fact is a serious time for the animal and extra stress should not be part of the scene.  Just common sense.

If folks have the need to observe an animal giving birth or want to take that occasion to educate their children- how about a film or ask a farmer sometime if one may quietly observe?  Having the opportunity to observe the real happening is not a bad thing, absolutely not.  What I strongly feel is an unfortunate part of this scene is to bring noisy crowds of people to laugh, talk, etc. and gawk at the poor animal in a way that puts a cloud on the dignity and miracle of  birth.

And so, I am not sure that our children will walk away from this happening truly understanding and appreciating not only the miracle of birth, but respecting the animal’s right to give birth in a more dignified setting when at all possible..of course not meaning a suite at a local  hospital—but rather a stall in a barn sounds about right.... with the farmer on hand to check on possible problems arising.  Problems do arise that can be life-threatening to the animal, sometimes without warning and sometimes requiring intervention by a Vet.

Maybe the animals will get lucky next year and whomever made this decision for placing these animals in a stressful spotlight,  and a less than respectful setting will rethink this unfortunate decision. And so, if I, in fact, have completely misunderstood what was being presented in the "birthing" area I apologize profusely.

Wasn’t sure whether to write this---but I do feel so much better having done so,  honey child!  Just a strong perception of a retired workerbee!!