Colbey Blankenship, 9, left, and his brother Riley Blankenship, 3, children of Rickey and Heather Blankenship, of Fayetteville, pet a Jersey calf at the State Fair of West Virginia Dairy Birthing Center.
FAIRLEA, W.Va. — A walk through the barns to look at the cattle, sheep, goats, hogs, horses and other animals is part of the fun and tradition of a visit to the West Virginia State Fair.
But for the past six years, many have been fortunate to experience something a bit different and perhaps magical — the miracle of life.
Fairgoers who pay careful attention to the announcements broadcast over the public address system will periodically hear news that a calf is expected to arrive shortly at the state fair’s dairy birthing center, operated by Rem Perkins, owner of Perk Farm Organic Dairy in Frankford.
Perkins, a third-generation farmer, travels with his family and 20 pregnant Jersey cows — the smallest of the dairy cattle — to share the experience with excited onlookers.
“When one’s water breaks, I call Paul Rose and he’ll announce it on the PA system,” Perkins explained. “Then the crowd shows up.”
The crowd, Perkins said, is made up of all ages. They all have one thing in common, however — excitement…
