WEST UNION, Ohio — It’s a rite of passage for many kids in Adams County and other rural Ohio communities: to take part in their county fair. There’s a growing movement across Ohio to include more people with developmental disabilities.
In Adams County, they call it “A Day in the Ring.” 4-H students team up with adults and kids facing some challenges. They practice putting a goat through an obstacle course and then compete in a large ring in front of more than 100 spectators.
“This has been huge, I mean huge here in the county,” said Lizabeth Lafferty, the superintendent of the Adams Co. Board of Developmental Disabilities.
“It’s also spread throughout the state in many county fairs and this year,” Lafferty said. “You’re going to see it at the Ohio State Fair and they are calling it breaking boundaries and they are going to show hogs.”
In Adams County, they primarily show goats, Lafferty said. “Occasionally, if we have someone who just can’t handle a goat, we let them show a rabbit.”
Seven-year-old Keaton Edmisten was up for the challenge of taking a kid of the goat variety through the obstacle course in the ring.
“I think he did really well. He’s been really excited about it,” said Amber Edmisten, Keaton’s mom.
She works with other students challenged by autism like her son.
“Despite the challenges he faces, despite everything he goes through, I just want him to feel welcome and not have to worry about being different,” Edmisten said.
“He was wonderful. And he doesn’t like to talk a lot, and that’s okay,” Lafferty said. “We can ask him questions and he can nod or say no and we just move on, but he loves it.”
So does Patty Lang, a regular at the fair.
“It’s just amazing to see them all and how they do and how happy they all are. It’s just great,” said Elizabeth Lang, Patty’s sister.
“She loves A Day in the Ring,” Lafferty said. “Patty’s able to take that goat through like nobody’s business and she loves the judges.”
Lang has been receiving services from the Board of Developmental Disabilities for more than 40 years. Over that time, the number of people like Patty getting help in Adams County and across Ohio has grown exponentially, Lafferty said.
“As our numbers are growing, it’s just more important to be including students and adults in all kinds of activities whether it’s church or sports or 4-H or whatever,” Lafferty said. “Inclusion is very important.” Every participant received a medal, presented by the 2023 Adams Co. Fair Pageant queen, Allie McCarty.
Both Keaton and Patty plan to return to the ring in 2024.
“We’ll definitely be doing it again next year,” Edmisten said.
“It’s just joy that’s all I can say, pure joy,” Lang said.
