Our first stop, the Union Pacific Railroad Depot just off Main Street in downtown Pocatello. Inside one of the buildings, the local model railroad club has set up various model railroad displays. As you walk around the main show room, you travel from one small Idaho railroad town to the next. Each town represents a different time period. Some towns are as they first appeared when the railroad was completed. Other model towns are more modern. It is a work in progress, as some towns are still under construction.
Here is an example of one of the more "modern" replicas - Pocatello.
We tried to find the exact angle to take a duplicate photo of the real thing, but settled on this photo of the old Union Pacific train station, right next to the original Greyhound station. Too bad it was daylight, because the original neon "running" Greyhound sign was still on the front of the building.
We walked over to the Farmers Market to stock up on fresh baked bread, jams and veggies. We took our booty home and then went to spend the rest of the afternoon at the North Bannock County Fair.
The fair had been going on since Thursday, with each day filled with local competitions - paintings, needlecraft, photography, canning, baking, livestock and so much more. By Saturday, all the ribbons had been awarded, and we could walk around the various barns and outbuildings and see the grand prize winners. Dave was tempted to pilfer the grand prize winning peanut butter cookies, but resisted temptation. Kathy was more interested in the quilts.
We next stopped at the Main Arena, to witness the "Redneck Family Entertainment." As the families began to pour into the arena, the local cowboys were in charge of crowd control.
A series of events were scheduled for kids to win "cowboy bucks" which they could spend in the "cowboy store." The cowboy store was stocked with everything a little kid could ever want - cap guns, candy, posters, toy cars, bouncy balls, dollies, squirt guns - you get the idea. First up, 2 to 3 years olds competed to see how far they could throw a little yellow rubber ducky. Unfortunately, the photos from this event did not turn out. Too many adoring parents standing in the way to get a good photo of the competitors. Next up, 4 to 5 year olds competed in "Pull the Tail Off the Goat." It wasn't the actual tail, but a ribbon tied to the end of the goat. Just watch the video - you'll get it.
Goat Tail Competition
Next up, were the 6 and 7 year olds in the "mutton bustin" competition. This is the second time we've seen mutton bustin, and we still don't get it. Unlike the competition in Deer Lodge, where the kids wore padded vests and bike helments, this competition was the real deal. Just pick up your kid, put them on the back of a sheep and let 'em rip. See for yourself.
Mutton Bustin
Having been thoroughly entertained in a redneck sort of way, we headed over to the Covered Arena to get our cowboy music fix. The Jim Calhoun Band performed a number of covers of various country and western stars from Johnny Cash to Willie Nelson. He even had the audience singing along. So good were we, that he compared us not to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, but to "Norman's Fish & Tackle Choir." Here is Jim leading us in a sing-a-long.
Jim Calhoun Band
Next up was Jeanne Coady, a Patsy Cline tribute artist. She's a school teacher from Washington State that just loves to belt out Patsy songs. While her voice isn't exactly like Patsy's, she's got her style down, and who doesn't like to listen to Patsy Cline songs.
We spent some time visiting with livestock competitors. Everyone was pretty tired after their time in the show ring. Here are the calves patiently waiting to see if a blue ribbon was in their future.
The chickens were their usual cocky selves. Here is our favorite competitor. Just take a look at that crown of feathers. He's already king of his roost.
Here Kathy chats with one of the stallions about the pressures of competing. He lamented, "It takes hours to get your coat brushed to a fine sheen, then you have to stand still while your hooves are polished and your teeth are brushed pearly white. All this just for a ribbon - humans - go figure!" (It sounds like the dark side to me!)
Next we got a little local color. First, a story teller told us about the legend of Br'er Rabbit and how Mr. Owl got his shape. Then, the Aztec Dancers (actually, members of the Blackfoot Tribe from the nearby Fort Hall Reservation - we don't know whether they had Aztec lineage or not) performed some of tribal dances for us. All of this took place while the audience enjoyed slices of free watermelon.
As the sun began to set, it was time to head back into the Main Arena for the closing show. Jim Calhoun took the stage and entertained us with a few more cowboy songs. Jeanne Coady also came back with a few more Patsy Cline songs. Some members of the audience couldn't contain themselves and had to jump up and dance.
Dancing to Patsy
The final act was a bluegrass band called the "Gilmore City Council," made up of father, daughter, son-in-law and three granddaughters. They had the audience toe tapping until after dark and asking them, "Won't You Stay...Just a Little Bit Longer?"
By the time we got home, we were just plum tuckered out. Cain't wait to see what a Sunday is like around these parts.
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