Traveling hands- on exhibit brings farm life to county fair

When Cow Town USA's 50-foot trailer rolls onto the grounds of the Franklin County Fair, show organizers plan to milk it for all its worth.

The interactive traveling exhibit — making its first visit to the fair, which begins on Saturday — will allow guests to learn about farm life, pet goats and sheep and, yes, milk a cow.

So, for all the inexperienced city slickers, what's the secret to milking a cow?

“Grip high, squeeze low, aim for the bucket,” said Sadie Cali, who will lead the daily shows three times a day (12:30, 3 and 6:30 p.m.)

Cow Town is one of many educational shows produced by Trinity Heritage Ranch, a family-owned business in Lynchburg, South Carolina. Cali's parents, Michael and Sharon Sandlofer, operate the ranch, where they keep rescued farm animals and wild animals.

Michael Sandlofer had the idea for the Cow Town show about 15 years ago. It's been a staple at the South Carolina State Fair for the past 12 years, and it travels the country for 12 to 15 shows a year, Cali said.

At the Franklin County Fair, corrals filled with farm animals will be open all day. During the scheduled shows, Cali will talk about cows and how milk and butter are made.

Youngsters will be able to milk an 8-year-old cow named Elsie — who will be there with her adopted calf, Hamilton — and turn cream into butter using a 100-yearold churn.

“Kids get to come get hands-on experience with Benna Sandlofer, center, helps a young boy milk a cow during a recent Cow Town USA show. The traveling interactive exhibit will make its first appearance at the Franklin County Fair this year. heritage-breed animals that you don’t get to see everyday,” Cali said. “We have a lot of children who don’t even know milk comes from a cow.”

Other new fair attractions, included with fair admission unless noted otherwise, include:

• Monster Truck Thrill Show: These massive vehicles will

race and crash in a variety of events. Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. with the show starting at 8 p.m. Saturday. Admission: $5

• Family movie night: Gather in the grandstand for a screening of "Coco." A pre-party will begin at 8 p.m. Sunday, with the movie starting at dusk.

• The Magic of David What: Franklin County Fair Where: Franklin County Fairgrounds, 5043 Northwest Parkway Contact: 614-876-7235, www.fcfair.org Dates: Saturday through July 21 Times: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday Admission: $7, or free for children 2 and younger; ride wristbands: $15, or $10 on Sunday, or $1 per ride ticket; some grandstand events cost $5

Anthony: The award-winning entertainer, magician and illusionist will perform at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the grandstand.

• World of Wonders Show: See illusions and classic sideshow acts such as sword swallowers, fire eaters, tightrope walkers, contortionists and snake charmers. Showtimes: 2, 6 and 8:30 p.m. weekends; 4:30, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. weekdays

• Escape Explosion: Escape artists will baffle the audience with mind-bending feats. Showtimes: 1, 5 and 7:30 p.m. weekends; 3:30, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. weekdays

• Farm to Table Taste Off: Those 21 and older can sample beer from Columbus breweries and food from local restaurants and vote on their favorite. Time: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday. Registration: $10

• Expanded Kid Zone activities: New attractions include pony rides, karaoke, dig pits, pedal tractor course, bubbles and sidewalk chalk. Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday through Friday