Crowds endured the rain at the Latah County Fair

On September 14th, the Latah County Fair brought the community together in Moscow, Idaho despite the poor weather conditions.

Since 1911, the people of Moscow have congregated at the Latah County Fairgrounds for animal showcasing, food, and fun. This year, the fairgoers were met with gloomy skies and rain.

Despite the weather conditions, fairgoers were still excited to watch and interact with the heifers, pigs, sheep, and other animals in the barns.

Barbara Ray, 62, scratches Milkshake’s chin. The heifer, Milkshake, was brought out of her pen so fairgoers at the Latah County Fair could meet and pet her. (Photo by Caitlin Rodorigo)

Barbara Ray, leader of the dairy for 4H project at The University of Idaho, helps teach kids aged 8 to 18 years old how to judge cattle, halter train, clip and take heifers on walks. According to Ray, the children get to help in the process of choosing the heifer they showcase. The goal is to pair the children with an appropriate sized heifer for their age and size.

The five heifers shown by 4H lay in their pen at the Latah County Fair. The University of Idaho provides 4H with different heifers to show each year. (Photo by Caitlin Rodorigo)

4H (Head, Heart, Hands, and Health) is an organization that provides hands-on learning to youth and is heavily involved in animal showcasing at the Latah County Fair each year. The University of Idaho Dairy Research Center assists 4H by supplying the heifers, feed, and transportation to the fairgrounds.

The youngest girl in 4H was paired with the youngest heifer to showcase. The young heifer, Milkshake, became quite the attraction. Children and adults gathered around to get a chance to pet the heifer and talk with experts.

A young girl pets a 1-year-old heifer, Milkshake. University of Idaho’s 4H team brought Milkshake out to be pet at the Latah County Fair on Sunday, September 14, 2025. (Photo by Caitlin Rodorigo)

Amber Fisher, mother of two young children, brought her kids to the fair. Fisher and her two children enjoyed the opportunity of meeting Milkshake up close.

Amber Fisher reaches through a fence to pet a cow. People gathered at the Latah County Fair earlier this month for opportunities to interact with animals. (Photo by Caitlin Rodorigo)

According to Ray, Milkshake is the fair’s celebrity and gets bombarded by public affection every time they take her out of the pen.

Another fair employee, Joseph Blankenship, was unfazed by the weather, insisting that the fair must go on.

“How many times a year does this come around?” Blankenship said. “Once. The weather isn’t going to stop these folks from their funnel cakes and cotton candy.”

Children in Latah County still insisted that their parents bring them to the fair to enjoy the thrill of carnival rides and games.

The ‘Dunk a Cheerleader’ booth was a dunk tank run by the Moscow High School Cheerleading team. For a two dollar donation to the team, people received a chance to sink a cheerleader into a cold tank of water. The head coach, Nalani Pimienta, expressed her gratitude for the fundraising opportunity that the fair brought to their team.

16-year-old Keira Fisher bundles up in a blanket after being dunked in the dunk tank. Moscow High School Cheerleaders held a dunk tank fundraiser at the Latah County Fair to raise money for their season. (Photo by Caitlin Rodorigo)

“Its been a very long weekend and we are very grateful for our community- our entire team has been funded by community donations,” said Pimienta.

Sarah Hutton, resident of Pullman, Washington, attended the fair with her young daughter in the rainy conditions on Sunday. Hutton said that they don’t come every year, but enjoy the opportunity to attend when possible.

Hutton and her daughter played carnival games, in an attempt to win a goldfish as their prize. Her daughter was able to win two goldfish, which she had yet to name.

“My older kids were here yesterday, all day,” Hutton said, “so then this one [her daughter] needed to try to come and win some fish.”