Big wins for Kat Kocher

Let's see those ribbons. Kat Kocher (12) poses with her belt buckle and Grand Champion ribbon. Kocher was awarded these prizes for showing in the Chelan County Fair. Photo Credit: Publications Staff

While many Kodiaks travel to the fair to enjoy food and exciting rides, others attend to compete. The Chelan County Fair was held from September 4–7 at the fairgrounds in Cashmere. Many people across the valley spend months preparing to show animals at the fair.  

One of these individuals is CHS senior Kat Kocher, who raised a lamb to show and auction. Kocher has been raising animals for shows since a very young age. “[I got into showing animals] mainly from my parents. My parents did it when they were my age, and we’ve been showing for about 18 years now,” said Kocher. 

There are a wide variety of animal show categories, including market, breeding, and showmanship competitions. “We do fitting and showing. We do a lot of showing animals, and we also do photography, drawing, crocheting—anything like that. Baking too. A lot of people do,” said Kocher, “I usually just go to two fairs, but yeah.” 

 “We do fitting and showing. We do a lot of showing animals, and we also do photography, drawing, crocheting—anything like that. Baking too. A lot of people do,” said Kocher, “I usually just go to two fairs, but yeah.” 

Fairs are not only for showing animals; there are also competitions in creative arts, crafts, and culinary categories. 

Kocher has won numerous awards over the years for showing animals. This year was no exception. “[I am most proud of] my Reserve Grand Champion for Round Robin. That one is always a really tough competition. I did one personally this year, but normally I do about three or four different animals. I've won it a couple of times. I've actually won two other belt buckles. I also win Reserve and Grand Champion almost every time. Lambs aren’t really too popular where we are—not yet,” she said. 

Kocher has been working with lambs for the past ten years and says they are her favorite animals to work with. “I named my lamb Lizabeth, for short,” she said. 

 She also shared some of her favorite parts of participating in the fair: “Definitely the competition—it’s fun. It's always aggressive competition, and you make friends out of it, too.” 

While showing animals and winning events is exciting, Kocher emphasized that there are other valuable lessons gained from raising and caring for animals. “They help me learn how agriculture is a big part of our world today, and how animals really work and all that. It also helps you become more independent, because your parents or your group leader aren’t allowed to help you with your animal unless it’s necessary,” said Kocher. “There are also some pretty good scholarships, and it’s just fun, too. Normally, you get quite a bit of money from premium points. Depending on how you score, you get a certain number of points, and at the end of the fair, they total it up—and you get a paycheck.” 

Kocher is part of Chumstick Grange 4-H club.  She would have liked to be part of Future Farmers of America, but a chapter is not offered at Casade. “4-H is more for youth, while FFA is for eighth grade and up until you graduate. But that’s basically the only difference. Oh, and you get to wear a fancy jacket—and that’s okay,” said Kocher.