Thomas Lane Hillier’s projects at this year’s Knox County Fair cover two very different areas: market rabbits and World War II combat photography.

WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talked with Thomas Lane about his years in 4-H, his role on the Knox County Junior Fair Board, and the work behind both projects.

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Thomas Lane is from Bellville and is a homeschooled sophomore. He has been a member of the Clovers of the Valley 4-H Club for 10 years and is now serving his third year on the Junior Fair Board. He is also one of the board’s secretaries.

This year, he is showing market rabbits. He explained how he works with them ahead of the fair so they are prepared to be handled and presented during judging.

His still project focuses on combat photographers during World War II. Thomas Lane said the project gave him an opportunity to learn more about the people who documented the war and the conditions in which they worked. He also shared that he sometimes heads into a closet to find a quiet place to concentrate on the project.

His years of showing animals have included a few unexpected moments. Thomas Lane recalled one year when a stubborn goat jumped clean over his head during the show.

He said 4-H and the Junior Fair Board have taught him persistence. One of his favorite memories came during his first year on the board, when he was not fully prepared for how busy Sale Day would be but enjoyed relaxing with friends once it was over.

After the fair, Thomas Lane hopes to spend some time in the woods.

Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!

(Photo Credit: Jenelle Doup, Saved by Grace Photography)

Trevor Mills has spent much of the summer getting sheep ready for the show ring, but his work at the Knox County Fair goes beyond caring for his own animals.

WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talked with Trevor about serving as the 2026 Sheep Liaison, helping manage livestock shows, and what he enjoys most about being part of the Junior Fair Board.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Trevor is from Knox County and will be a junior at Riverview High School. He has been a member of the Outsiders 4-H Club for seven years and is now in his third year on the Junior Fair Board.

As Sheep Liaison, Trevor helps make sure shows stay organized, exhibitors are where they need to be, and problems are handled as they come up. He has worked with sheep for the past six years and understands the preparation required before fair week begins.

That work includes walking the animals, washing them, and making sure they are entered in the proper weight classes. Once the Knox County Fair ends, Trevor plans to continue showing at the Coshocton County Fair.

He said his years in 4-H have taught him to treat people with respect, whether he is working with exhibitors, fellow board members, or visitors.

One of Trevor’s favorite memories has little to do with competition. He remembers going to the beach with other Junior Fair Board members before the fair and enjoying time together away from their responsibilities.

Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!

(Photo Credit: Jenelle Doup, Saved by Grace Photography)

Bekah Mandau is taking on plenty during her first year on the Knox County Junior Fair Board.

WNZR’s Josiah Styer talked with Bekah about preparing for the Knox County Fair, the animals she plans to show, and what she has learned through four years in 4-H.

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Bekah lives in Utica and will be a freshman this fall. She was born in South Carolina and is a member of the Future Go-Getters 4-H Club.

This year, she is bringing market and breeding sheep, along with market and breeding rabbits and several other projects. She said preparing for the show ring means making sure her animals stay healthy and look their best.

Bekah is also helping with different Junior Fair Board responsibilities as fair week approaches. She is especially looking forward to the rough truck event and the open show.

Once the fair is over, she plans to continue caring for her animals, spend time with friends, and get ready for the school year. Her goals include doing well in class and staying focused.

Bekah said 4-H has helped her become more open-minded and taught her to listen to other people’s ideas.

One memory that still makes her laugh came while serving as a camp counselor, when she ended up taking a pie to the face and spent the cleanup time talking and laughing with a friend.

Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!

(Photo Credit: Jenelle Doup, Saved by Grace Photography)

Remi D’Andrea has helped introduce something different to the Knox County Fair: showing geese.

WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talked with Remi about her six years in 4-H, her work on the Junior Fair Board, and the responsibility that comes with preparing animals for competition.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Remi is from Fredericktown and will enter eighth grade this fall. She is a member of the Red Brush 4-H Club and helps the Junior Fair Board prepare the grounds, keep events running smoothly, and make sure visitors enjoy their time at the fair.

She is looking forward to showing her goose again this year. Remi said she was the first exhibitor to bring a goose to the fair and hopes her experience encourages more young people to consider waterfowl projects.

Her preparation also includes learning how to position and present animals in the show ring. With pigs, she said exhibitors must adjust because each animal gains weight differently and may require a different approach when learning to walk it.

After fair week, Remi is looking forward to school and camps. She said 4-H has taught her responsibility and how to adapt when an animal does not respond exactly as expected.

One of her favorite memories came during her first year, when her waterfowl project earned Grand Champion.

Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!

(Photo Credit: Jenelle Doup, Saved by Grace Photography)

Reagan Blanchard has spent years caring for animals, but this fair season is also giving her new opportunities to grow as a leader.

WNZR’s Sue McDonald talked with Reagan about serving on the Knox County Junior Fair Board, preparing for the Junior Fair Queen competition, and her plans to study veterinary medicine.

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Reagan is from Fredericktown and recently graduated from Fredericktown High School and the Knox County Career Center, where she studied in the College U Business program. This fall, she plans to attend the University of Findlay to begin working toward becoming a veterinarian.

She has been involved in 4-H for eight years and serves as president of the Fur, Feathers and Friends 4-H Club. At this year’s fair, she is showing breeding and market rabbits.

Reagan also serves as the small animal liaison on the Junior Fair Board. In that role, she helps exhibitors learn how to properly care for their animals and makes sure people have the information they need during fair week.

As a 2026 Junior Fair Queen nominee, Reagan prepared a speech for the Junior Fair Breakfast and completed interviews as part of the selection process. She said she wants young fairgoers, including Little Miss Knox County, to see someone who cares deeply about the fair and its traditions.

Outside of 4-H, Reagan has shown horses for several years and participated in marching band, track and field, and bowling.

After a recent trip to Florida, Reagan returned ready for fair season. She has also been working with Fredericktown City Hall and Riverside Dairy.

Reagan said one of the biggest lessons she has learned is that growth requires stepping beyond what feels comfortable. Running for president of her 4-H club pushed her into a new role, but it also helped her become more confident.

Some of her favorite Junior Fair Board memories are the quieter moments spent talking with other members and getting to know them better.

Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!

(Photo Credit: Jenelle Doup, Saved by Grace Photography)

Adysson Gerhart has a full schedule both in and out of the Knox County Fair.

WNZR’s Sue McDonald talked with Adysson about serving as the 2026 Poultry Ambassador, taking on the role of Junior Fair Board treasurer, and balancing her education with nine years in 4-H.

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Adysson is from Fredericktown and attends the Knox County Career Center as a senior. She is also a sophomore at Central Ohio Technical College, where she is studying business technologies. When she graduates in May, she expects to earn both her high school diploma and associate degree.

She is a member of the Barnyard Bunch 4-H Club and is serving her second year on the Junior Fair Board. This is her first year as treasurer, a role that adds another level of responsibility during fair week.

As Poultry Ambassador, Adysson helps represent the poultry program and works with exhibitors. She is also showing market broilers and explained that much of the preparation involves keeping the birds healthy and making sure they are properly fed.

Away from the poultry barn, Adysson is looking forward to the opening ceremony and the antique tractor pull. She has competed in the tractor pull herself, earning both first- and second-place finishes in the classes she entered.

After the fair, Adysson plans to continue working and help her boyfriend on his family farm.

She said one of the biggest lessons she has learned through 4-H is how to push herself outside her comfort zone and become more comfortable in unfamiliar situations.

One of her favorite Junior Fair Board memories came after last year’s fair, when members were finally able to relax together, eat pizza, and play cards.

Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!

(Photo Credit: Jenelle Doup, Saved by Grace Photography)

Blake Hegemier’s fair season will not end when the Knox County Fair closes. After competing locally, he plans to travel to Nevada for an American Rabbit Breeders Association competition.

WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talked with Blake about preparing animals for the show ring, serving as the 2026 Rabbit Liaison, and what he has learned through 4-H.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Blake is from Morrow County and is a homeschooled senior. He is a member of the Red Brush 4-H Club and is serving his second year on both the Knox County Junior Fair Board and as Rabbit Liaison.

During fair week, Blake helps prepare for events and assists others involved in the rabbit program. He is especially looking forward to the rabbit and poultry shows.

Getting animals ready for competition requires careful work. Blake explained that rabbits must be cleaned without damaging their fur, while preparing poultry also includes bathing the birds before they are shown.

One of Blake’s favorite fair memories came during his first year, when he won showmanship with a breeding rabbit. He said his time in 4-H has also taught him to keep working through failure rather than giving up.

Click HERE to learn more about the Knox County Fair!

(Photo Credit: Jenelle Doup, Saved by Grace Photography)