‘JoJo’ the Guernsey cow takes crown as King County Fair’s Royal Critter

The 2007 King County Fair Royal Critter Champion JoJo, a Guernsey cow, is joined by County Council members (L-R) Kathy Lambert, Larry Phillips, Reagan Dunn, owner Kimmi Devaney, Larry Gossett and Pete von Reichbauer. (click for high-resolution image)

A 3-year-old Guernsey cow trotted past a tufted Roman goose, a skateboarding chicken and several other worthy contestants to earn the coveted title of Royal Critter at the 2007 King County Fair during the fair’s opening ceremonies Wednesday.

JoJo, who is owned by 19-year-old Kimmi Devaney, replaces the 2006 Royal Critter, Jake the Horse. The Royal Critter was crowned by County Councilmembers Reagan Dunn, Kathy Lambert, Larry Gossett, Larry Phillips and Pete von Reichbauer, and will be an honored guest at the oldest fair west of the Mississippi.

“Along with great food and live entertainment, Midway rides and blue ribbon competitions, the Critter Crowning contest is one of the great traditions of an old-fashioned county fair that we’re proud to continue,” said Fair Manager Sharon Roberts.

The other finalists competing for the 2007 King County Fair Royal Critter crown were:

• Elvis and Sir Isaac, a pair of newts owned by Brandy Rose Pickering of Enumclaw;
• My Own, a horse owned by Rorey Glen of Ravensdale;
• Domino, a goat owned by Summer Hallquist of Enumclaw;
• Charlie, a goose owned by Jordan Lybeck of Enumclaw;
• Zinnia, a rabbit owned by Alicia McDougall of Enumclaw;
• Fancy Pants, aka Tony Chickenhawk, a chicken owned by Hannah Dahlquist of Enumclaw;
• Beans, a dog owned by Stephany Wieland of Enumclaw;
• King County, a rooster owned by Carole Wlos of Kent; and
• Patches, a cat owned by Tyler Ryynanen of Hobart.

Other highlights at this year’s King County Fair include live music from Country singer Jonathan Harris, the Beatniks and Hells Belles, a demolition derby and car rollover competition, racing pigs and more.

Fair hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Admission to the fair is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors 62 and older and for children ages 6 to 12. Kids under the age of 6 are free when accompanied by an adult. All entertainment is included in the price of admission, except for the demolition derby and rollover competition, which costs $15 for adults and $10 for children and seniors and includes admission to the fair on Sunday. Parking is $5.

For more information about the 2007 King County Fair, visit http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/fair/default.asp.