In the ring:

Awaiting a word from the judge, Amanda Patrick is shown here with her swine project, “Chester,” during the Swine project classes held Monday afternoon and evening at the Porter County Fair. Patrick, 9, is a 4th grade student at Jackson Elementary School and a member of the Jackson Volunteer 4-H Club.

Champion-Reserve and Grand:

Cassandra Wallace, 19, completing her tenth and final year of 4-H is shown here with her Reserve Grand Champion corn snake, “Winston,” in the Herpetology Project. Wallace, a member of the Liberty Hotshots, also earned Grand Champion in the Cat Project with her three year-old tomcat “Darwin,” who took top honors in the long hair class. Wallace has also done projects in the Rabbit, Collections, Foods and Macramé projects.

Feeding time:

“Taffy,” a five year-old Quarter horse Palomino, was happy to see her owner Niki Jones, Monday evening at the Porter County Fair. Jones, a Chesterton Intermediate School 8th grader, was bearing feed in a bucket. Jones is a member of the Jackson Volunteers 4-H Club. The Horse and Pony project classes continue today with English Equitation and Showmanship.

Waiting out the storm:

Heavy weather struck the Porter County Fair Monday evening, forcing many to wait out the storm inside the livestock buildings. Here Kelly Starcevich, 14, put the time to good use, calming and grooming her horse “Skippy.” Starcevich is a member of the Lakeshore Drifters 4-H Club and Skippy is a 19-year-old Quarter horse. The Horse and Pony project classes continue today with English Equitation and Showmanship, Wednesday with Western Equitation and Showmanship and Thursday with Halter and Versatility. The Speed and Gaming will be held Friday, with the Master Showmanship competition beginning at 7 p.m.

Ready for the show:

Katrina Lutze was feeding and grooming two of her sheep, “Dandy’’ and “Blackberry,” one-and-half year-old Hampshire ewes, Monday afternoon at the Porter County Fair. Lutze, 12, competed with a total of four sheep in the sheep breeding and market lamb projects. 4-H livestock competitions continue through the week, with the Livestock Auction set for Thursday evening, beginning at 6 p.m.

Tiny billy goat:

Amy Fuller gives her tiny billy goat, “Runt,” a calming hug during the heavy thunderstorm which hit the Porter County Fair Monday evening. Fuller, 15, is a Chesterton High School sophomore and is showing 6 goats in all at the fair. “Runt” is a three month old pygmy goat. 4-H animal project judging and classes continue throughout this week.

Live hive:

Darlene Kress, of Kress Apiary in Burns Harbor, has a live observation hive at the Porter County Fair this year. Kress and her husband, Robert, own and run the apiary, creating honey, candles and scented beeswax soaps, as well as providing bee supplies and pollination services. Here Kress shows off the glass-walled hive, within which the queen is painted for observation. Kress’ booth is just inside the Expo East Exhibit Hall. Those interested in Kress Apiary products or services may call 764-3187.

Rain, rain, rain:

Heavy rain, thunder and lightning, created some problems at the Porter County Fair Monday, including flooded walkways, frightened animals and temporarily shut down rides. During the worst of the rain, features outside the Livestock Show Arena, such as the Ferris Wheel, were barely visible. The rain lasted just over half an hour and then slowed to a drizzle, clearing up just in time for sunset.

Extra attention:

“Cricket,’’ a 3 year-old paint pony, got extra attention Monday at feeding time at the Porter County Fair. Owner Tara Fraley, 14, got a little help from her friend Stephanie Berglund, 14, both of Chesterton. Fraley and Berglund are both Chesterton High School freshmen. Fraley is also a member of the Jackson Volunteer 4-H Club. Horse and Pony project classes continue today with Western Equitation and Showmanship and Thursday with Halter and Versatility. Friday holds the Speed and Gaming, plus the Master Showmanship beginning at 7 p.m.