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WASHINGTON COUNTY — Cow rustling; the act of stealing cattle. In the American old West, cattle rustling was considered a capital offense punishable by hanging. Fast-forward to present day; and states are still tightening up the punishment for livestock theft. In Oklahoma livestock theft is punishable by fine and or jail time. In Texas, it is considered a felony. Who would have thought this form of theft, popular in the 1800s, would make a come back and hit so close to home, just days before the Washington County Fair?
The Washington County Sherriff’s Office is investigating a reported seven missing cows from a farm in the town of Argyle, according to a Washington County Sherriff ’s Office news release.One of the cows missing is a show cow named Roxy and is reportedly worth $30,000. The cows consist of different breeds including Holstein, Guernsey, and Jersey Cows. According to Ida Williams, a member of the Board of Directors of the Washington County Fair, Roxy’s owner John Violette planned to bring his cows to the fair, some of which are thought to be stolen as well.
The Washington County Fair begins on Aug. 20 and ends on Aug. 26, and takes place at 392 Old Schuylerville Road in Greenwich. Fairgoers can expect to see agriculture displays, dairy shows, beef shows, swine, poultry, sheep, goats, rabbits, and calves, along with horse and draft animal competitions. This year for the first time, the fair will host a birthing center, The Big Push Birthing Center. The birthing center will be at the dairy show tent on Saturday and Sunday. Fairgoers will be able to see six mother cows give birth to their calves.
Activities will start on Aug. 20 with with Stoney Roberts Demolition Derby on the motorsports track and fairgoer favorite, The Greene Brothers Music in the entertainment tent.
Other fair highlights include cheese art, Buffalo and Brandy, Buffalo Barfield’s Unherd Entertainment, Jeff Williams Music, Master of the Chainsaw, Hot Dog Pig Races, Sylvia and the Magic Trunk, and the Agri-Puppets. After being absent from the fair for a couple of years, Hansen’s Spectacular Acrobatic Thrill Show will return, and Extreme Illusions and Escapes. New this year is the Cowboy Circus, a family- friendly show featuring juggling, music and stunts.
The farm museum adds a new heritage demonstration with John Charles Bielik: Period Paper and Design. This heritage demonstration will complete the space in front of the museum where you will find The Wood Bowl Turner, The Pottery Lady, and Little John – Broom maker.
The County Bounty Building will host a Washington County Craft Beverage Corral and Tasting event on Tuesday, August 21, from 4 to 8 p.m. In addition, Cabot Cheese and The Argyle Cheese Farmer will be providing samples of their farm-to-table products.
The Washington County Fair also has a free mobile app where fairgoers can access the full schedule along with details of each event, view the fairground maps, and receive notifications of schedule changes and reminders.
For more information visit www.washingtoncountyfair.com
