The hard work over the summer pays off for these students at the Monterey County Fair.

Erik Chalhoub here, eyeing that giant pendulum ride, known as a Booster, that’s swinging riders upside down at the Monterey County Fair and rotating at a speed of up to 75mph.

I’m an amusement ride fanatic and will try just about anything once—the slingshot and skycoaster are probably the most extreme rides I’ve ever been on. But I think I’ll draw the line at the Booster. We’ll see. The fair is still in town for a couple more days.

The fair is more than just extreme thrills. Young people are at the heart of the annual event, showcasing their hard work from over the summer, whether it’s by displaying the vegetables they’ve grown, the Lego structures they’ve constructed or the artwork they’ve proudly created, this is a time to celebrate their talents.

It’s the result of countless hours, and nowhere is that more evident than in the livestock barns.

For this week’s cover story in the Weekly, I spent time with students from Salinas FFA over the summer, learning about their daily routines in caring for their pigs, goats and other animals that they will sell during the Monterey County Fair’s auction.

The dedication in these teenagers is inspiring. While many others their age were spending their summer on vacation or lounging around the house, the FFA students spent most of their time caring for their animals, from the crack of dawn to the late afternoon, every day for months. 

FFA Adviser Rachel Dalton told me the program helps students learn life skills, including time management and budgeting, which are lessons we all need to succeed. Having these young people know where their food comes from is knowledge they will pass down to future generations, she notes.

If you’ve ever wanted to know how many pounds a pig gains a day, I recommend you check out the article.

Newsletter

All’s fair. Plus, your Sunday Paper.