SHAWANO, WI- The excessive heat was too much for some of the animals at the Shawano County Fair.
On Sunday, the Shawano Ag Society decided to allow people to take their animals home from the rabbit and poultry barn.
“We could not get the temperature down enough, so we thought it was the best decision for the safety of the animals,” said Scott Breitrick, President of the Ag Society.
He said it was up to each family if they wanted to take their animals home, and a large group did. Lacey Wilson and her family was one that made that decision.
“They don’t do well and they are already stressed being in a different environment,” she said. “It was an easy decision for us. We just want to get our animals out of here alive.”
Some people reported the barns being as hot as 99-101 degrees inside. Breitrick said they had the fire department spray down the building, but it was not enough. “We had fans in there, but it is hot in there.
Sunday afternoon, many families started to bring their animals home. Breitrick said they were watching the conditions of the other barns throughout the day on Sunday.
As far as the animals that stayed, early Tuesday morning was when many left. “Adjustments in release times were made throughout the weekend because of the heat. After the last animal loaded out today, we didn’t lose one animal, and that is a credit to the teamwork that was involved,” the Fair Board posted in a statement. “This Morning at 4am, with the help of 2 dozen people, we moved the final animals out of the barns.”
Many pitched in to make things run smooth. People brought in personal generators. SMU and Raddant Electric worked to upgrade a transformer that blew in record time, and the office make sure there was always ice on the grounds for the animals and people.
“Coming together in adversity shows strength and unity, and that Unity resulted is the best outcome possible.”
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