Hundreds of thousands of people will flock to Springfield this month for the Illinois State Fair, but only a few will get to experience it like a young person showing livestock. For those young people, the state fair is often the culmination of a summer’s worth – or a year’s worth – of work.

BEST EVER: Jack Jungmann, 11, Seaton says it was an honor to show in the first-ever Grand Champion Drive. “I came out of the ring dripping with sweat, but proud because I showed my hardest.” Jack’s parents are Matt and Krystal Jungmann.

For each of them, the experience will be different. For Jack Jungmann, it was a trip-of-a-lifetime to the Parade of Champions in the Coliseum. For siblings Mallory, Delaney, Faith and Parker, it’s a matter of working together as a family. For Nicki Adolph, it meant getting lost but finding her way to champion heifer. And for the youngest exhibitors, like Ben Bushue, it’s a matter of learning how good you really can be.

These competitive 4-Hers admit there’s little more thrill in their young lives than placing at the top of the class. Yet when Prairie Farmer asked them to share their experiences at the Illinois State Fair, they offered a bit more insight into what makes the showring special.

Here’s Jack’s story:

One big giant amazing day

The 2015 State Fair was one I will never forget. It was my first time showing in the junior show, and I showed all my animals - Ginger, Chief and Sawyer - on Saturday. Here’s how my day went:

5:30 a.m.: Arrived at the fairgrounds, and helped Dad and Uncle Scott feed and wash.

6:30 a.m.: Helped fit my market heifer, Ginger.

7:30 a.m.: In the show ring for the first time that day. The judge asked me if it would be ok if he picked me to win Grand Champion Market Heifer and, of course, I said yes!

9:00 a.m.: Started fitting my steer, Chief.

10:30 a.m.: In the show ring for the second time that day; Chief stood fourth.

11:15 a.m.: Back to the stalls to break down Chief, get some lunch, and play a game of UNO with friends.

1:30 p.m.: Into the ring for the third time that day, this time with my lamb. Stood first, but he almost got away on my way into the ring. Embarrassing!

2:00 p.m.: Headed into the ring for champion crossbred lamb.

2:30 p.m.: Selected as Reserve Crossbred Market Lamb. Showed my heart out. Came out wringing with sweat.

2:35 p.m.: Went back in to the ring so the judge could look at all the lambs before we went to the Coliseum for Grand Champion.

3:30 p.m.: Loaded Sawyer, Mom and me onto a trailer. The ride to the Coliseum was long and hot. Mom kept feeding me water bottles constantly.

4:00 p.m.: Arrived at the Coliseum and when we got there, we put my lamb straight in front of the fan. Feeling jittery and excited to get in the ring. Looked around and couldn’t believe how many people were there.

4:25 p.m.: In the show ring and showed harder than I ever had. 

4:45 p.m.: The judge chose the champion, and the place seemed like it almost rumbled! It wasn’t me, but it was an honor to be a part of the whole experience and in the Coliseum for the first-ever Championship Drive at the Illinois State Fair. Came out of the ring dripping with sweat, but proud because I showed my hardest.

4:55 p.m.: Loaded back onto the trailer to go back to the barn. Exhausted, but I still had to take care of my livestock.

6 p.m.: Back at the cattle barn, cleaning up our stuff from the day, feeding calves, and enjoying the evening with family and friends.

I had so much help that day because there was no way I could have managed on my own. My dad and uncle were up at 4:30 a.m. to get my heifer ready. I couldn’t get over to the lamb barn until after lunch, so a friend fed him and washed him when I couldn’t be there. I couldn’t break down and wash my calves so a couple of my fellow 4-H club members helped me with that. I am very thankful for all the help I had. Hard work at home and a full army of people behind me is what made this amazing day possible.

And check out more State Fair Scrapbook entries

Tuesday with Jack Jungmann

Wednesday - better together

Thursday - first-time champion

Friday - Poultry, Snickers and 'a guy named Phil'