From lambs wearing brightly colored blankets to twin brothers celebrating their birthday in the sheep barn, the Indiana State Fair is full of colorful and interesting sights. Use your imagination and you can hear the whistle of the steam engine firing up to run the completely refurbished Red River Special thresher in Pioneer Village.

A roving camera can capture lots of images, conjuring up sounds and memories. The biggest event in Pioneer Village in decades was likely the unveiling of the Nishcolson-Shephard thresher, rebuilt to like-new condition, thanks to the Purdue Ag Alumni Association. Wayne Dillman says it’s an investment in the future.

Meanwhile, in the sheep barn, twin brothers Dylan and Cooper Gretencord, Tippecanoe County, celebrated their 19th birthday at the fair on Aug. 7. They couldn’t think of a better place to celebrate than in the air-conditioned sheep pavilion, caring for their sheep and preparing to show them.

Meanwhile, other 4-H’ers took part in the annual shearing and grooming contest, filling the show ring after a day of 4-H sheep showing competition with lamb stands, blowers and other equipment; contestants were allotted one hour to shear and fit their animal. It’s just another activity that adds color and interest to the Indiana State Fair.

Next door, 4-h’ers showed pigs in one of the oldest buildings on the grounds yet to be renovated. That will change soon because the Legislature approved money for renovation and expansion of the swine barn, including addition of other facilities to serve administrative functions. An artist’s rendering of the new structure hung in the swine barn at this year’s fair.