Andromeda and Tesch and her sister Dawnstar know their rabbits. The girls, sisters and members of the Sharp Shooters 4-H Club in Great Bend, put on white lab coats Wednesday afternoon as they carried their Polish bunnies to the showmanship judge at the Barton County Fair.

"You have to make sure that he has clear eyes and you have to make sure that he has good teeth," said Andromeda, explaining some of the things she has learned by preparing a rabbit to show. There’s a lot of responsibility, too. "We water and feed them twice a day, in the morning and evening."

Conall Addison from Garden City was judging rabbit showmanship. He quizzed the girls on their knowledge of the breed, rabbits in general and their own entries specifically. A few feet away, Blaine Maier from Russell was judging actual rabbits (as opposed to the showing of rabbits). Holding a squirming rex, Maier listed its good points first. In the minus column, the rabbit was showing stress, which resulted in some loose fur.

"It’s definitely showing the effects of the heat," Maier said, as he finished evaluating the animal.

Opening day of the Barton County Fair also included the 4-H poultry show; food judging and sale; and arts and crafts, as well as food, entertainment and commercial exhibits. The action continues today with the 4-H swine show in the morning and the 4-H dairy show in the afternoon, a style show in the evening and a rock concert with Change of Heart — a tribute to the band Heart, at 8 p.m. See the Breakfast Briefing on page 2 for a schedule.