PHOTOS: Johnson County Fair Delights All Ages

The Johnson County Fair was in full swing on its first day Monday, with fair food and activities for every age, including chicken tosses, tractor pulls and the second annual Mr. Legs contest. More than 80 exhibitors were also showing off their stuff to fair-goers.

But many people, like Audrey Stewart of Oxford, visit each year simply to view the variety of livestock, from steers to swine and goats.

"I come every year," she said. "I used to be in 4-H, so I just love coming to see all the animals."

4-H and Future Farmers of America contestants show off their livestock and skills, from sheep shearing to dog obedience, during the six-day event that ends Friday, July 30 with a livestock auction at 9 a.m.

Participants were also judged on the cleanliness of the barns as crowds walked through the barns.

"When they go to the show ring, they’re judged on the quality of the animal, but I judge on if the aisles are clean, and the cleanliness of the animal (in the stalls)," said Judge Greg Fisher of Iowa City. "So I’m judging on the overall appearance. When you walk through, how does it look?"

Iowa State Fair Queen Lacy Stevenson, from Knoxville in Marion County, was onhand to judge the Mr. Legs Contest, among other competitions at the fair.

"I visit any of the fairs that get ahold of me to make appearances as Iowa State Fair Queen," she said, noting she liked legs that "weren't too big" with "a little hair" when asked by the judge.

Meanwhile, Miss Johnson County Pageant Contestant Jehri Wagner, of the Cedar Rapids area, was primping in one of the bathrooms for the upcoming pageant held later that night. Not her first beauty queen contest, Wagner has also competed in a rodeo queen pageant.

“I just like getting dressed up," she said. "You get your hair and make-up done. It’s fun meeting new people, too.”

Iowa Citian John Isaacs Jr. drove his 1958 720 John Deere into the antique tractor show at the fair Monday afternoon. He said they still use the three tractors they had on display for odd jobs around their farm off Dane Road, in Iowa City.

"We use them for doing hay, cattle, and some farming operations, but its mostly retired," he said.

The oldest of the tractors was a 1938 B John Deere, owned by Chuck Linderman of Iowa City, he added.

Dale House handed out two goldfish to winners at the Ring Toss Monday as well - the carnival rides and games are always popular with kids.

“It’s been so crazy, we’ve been flying around," he said. "We play a lot in Missouri and Kansas, and we just came from Manchester. This is our last show in Iowa, but we’ll keep running until about October."

House said even though he's only been four months on the job, he enjoys manning the ring toss game.

"I travel with "the fair)," he said. "We all help out setting it up and keep it going, and we make sure the kids have a good time."

For more information, visit http://johnsoncountyfair.com. The fair continues through Thursday.