Siblings score at Canfield Fair

CANFIELD — Winning the grand champion hog competition was bittersweet for Amanda Smith.

As tears of joy and sadness rolled down her cheeks, she couldn’t help but think about her brother, J.R., who passed away three weeks before the 2005 Canfield Fair.

“We all wear yellow ribbons whenever we show our pigs,” the 16-year-old said.

Amanda’s hog beat out 162 others to win the title. It had to compete in three categories: showmanship, skills and overall meat quality determined by a judge.

The hog brought in $875 at auction and was bought by Henry Nemenz, of H.P. Nemenz Food Stores.

This is Amanda’s second time winning the grand champion ribbon — but she is no stranger to the winner’s circle.

“I have been showing pigs for eight years at this fair, and every year I have won the showmanship category,” Amanda said.

Sibling rivalry

She was not the only person in her family to take home a ribbon. Amanda’s younger brother, Jacob, won the reserve champion hog prize. His hog went for $450 at auction. It was also bought by H.P. Nemenz Food Stores.

For more, see Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com. Also, Click here for a fair photo gallery.