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Beefy beauty salon
Douglas County Fair: Steers get royal treatment from their owners before they go to show
ENLARGEStanding among primped cattle, Kristin Fuller, 16, gives her friend’s steer, Eeyore, a haircut on his forehead before conformation competition Tuesday morning at the Douglas County Fair.
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Getting the steers to look good means details are paid to every part of the body. A steer has its legs sprayed and combed to give a fuller look to the legs.
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Bustling blow-dryers bounce warm air off freshly washed hair. Combs and brushes then fluff it into a filled-out style.
Aerosol bottles filled with conditioner for hair and skin spray freely while calm-looking customers relax in their individual styling spaces.
No, the Douglas County Fair didn't install a beauty parlor this year. Not really.
That was apparent from another aerosol bottle being used generously. This one's not a beauty product.
It's a spray to keep flies away.
"It just makes him calmer when they're not on him," said 14-year-old Justin Solomon of Glendale on Tuesday, while grooming his steer "Big Red."
Big Red, named for his red tint and because, well, he's big, was just one of the oversized customers getting the salon treatment before their big showing at the Douglas County Fair.
Of course the stylists had more to gain from the beautification efforts than the steer. The better the animals look, the better the judge's opinion and the more money it can garner on the market.
"Some people say it makes it pop, it makes it stand up," said Alan Brock, 15, of Roseburg, as he sprayed his steer "Burton" with oil.
The oil makes the hair stand up, which shows off muscle tone. Burton didn't seem to mind the attention.
In fact, Alan guessed that Burton and other steers were actually enjoying themselves. He didn't know this because of the close relationship between the stylist and stylee either.
Not really.
It's more because the animals give their contentment away.
"It's because they chew their cud," Alan said.
Some of the steers are a little more prissy about how they are groomed. They can get downright diva-like.
Jared Barnett, 15, of Roseburg was trimming the legs of "Goofy." It was a necessary step to complete Goofy's treatment.
Goofy didn't see it that way. He flailed his legs looking to connect a kick with Jared's head.
Aerosol bottles filled with conditioner for hair and skin spray freely while calm-looking customers relax in their individual styling spaces.
No, the Douglas County Fair didn't install a beauty parlor this year. Not really.
That was apparent from another aerosol bottle being used generously. This one's not a beauty product.
It's a spray to keep flies away.
"It just makes him calmer when they're not on him," said 14-year-old Justin Solomon of Glendale on Tuesday, while grooming his steer "Big Red."
Big Red, named for his red tint and because, well, he's big, was just one of the oversized customers getting the salon treatment before their big showing at the Douglas County Fair.
Of course the stylists had more to gain from the beautification efforts than the steer. The better the animals look, the better the judge's opinion and the more money it can garner on the market.
"Some people say it makes it pop, it makes it stand up," said Alan Brock, 15, of Roseburg, as he sprayed his steer "Burton" with oil.
The oil makes the hair stand up, which shows off muscle tone. Burton didn't seem to mind the attention.
In fact, Alan guessed that Burton and other steers were actually enjoying themselves. He didn't know this because of the close relationship between the stylist and stylee either.
Not really.
It's more because the animals give their contentment away.
"It's because they chew their cud," Alan said.
Some of the steers are a little more prissy about how they are groomed. They can get downright diva-like.
Jared Barnett, 15, of Roseburg was trimming the legs of "Goofy." It was a necessary step to complete Goofy's treatment.
Goofy didn't see it that way. He flailed his legs looking to connect a kick with Jared's head.
While the testy bovine didn't connect Tuesday, Jared said he's caught the bad side of an unsatisfied customer a couple of times.
It hurts, too.
"A little bit, yeah," he said, as he dodged another attempted Goofy kick. "I'm trying to develop reflexes."
It hurts, too.
"A little bit, yeah," he said, as he dodged another attempted Goofy kick. "I'm trying to develop reflexes."
--- AT THE FAIR ---
<b>WEDNESDAY HIGHLIGHTS</b>
<b>Dock Dogs</b> — 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. in Kidsville <b>Alice Cooper</b> — 7 p.m. at the PremierWest Bank Amphitheater <b>THURSDAY HIGHLIGHTS</b> <b>Free admission</b> with entry in the Dress a Fruit or Vegetable Contest between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Main Gate <b>Bi-Mart Discount Ride Day</b> — Seven rides for $12 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. <b>Kenny Loggins</b> — 7 p.m. at the PremierWest Bank Amphitheater <hr> <b>GENERAL FAIR INFORMATION</b> <b>Admission:</b> $8 adults, $3 for ages 6-12; free for children 5 and under <b>Parking:</b> $4 <b>Free Buses:</b> Buses run to the fairgrounds from the following locations every 30 minutes between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and every 15 minutes between 5 and 11 p.m. — Roseburg High School, Douglas County Courthouse, Dixon Steel Outlet, Kmart and the Starlite Theater in Green • <b>Umpqua Transit</b> is also offering free rides on all of its regular routes this week <b>MORE INFORMATION:</b> See Monday’s Douglas County Fair Guide Special Section, http://www.newsreview.info/CountyFair</a> |
Goofy wasn't Jared's steer. He was filling in on a friend's shift.
Jared's steer "Shaniqua," he said, enjoys the salon treatment. At the same time, Jared said, "they get tired of it after a while."
One can only get pampered so long. Especially if it all begins at 7 a.m.
That was when the first round of steers got showers. The facilities -- just hoses, actually -- aren't all that glamorous, either.
It can take 20 minutes to get the hair completely clean, depending on how relaxed the animal is, said 17-year-old Brad Powell of Lookingglass.
That time does include some attention to the feet. It isn't quite like a pedicure, though.
Not really.
"Usually a more stiff brush works on the feet," Brad said. "That stuff is hard to get out."
* You can reach reporter Paul Craig at 957-4211 or by e-mail at pcraig@newsreview.info.
Jared's steer "Shaniqua," he said, enjoys the salon treatment. At the same time, Jared said, "they get tired of it after a while."
One can only get pampered so long. Especially if it all begins at 7 a.m.
That was when the first round of steers got showers. The facilities -- just hoses, actually -- aren't all that glamorous, either.
It can take 20 minutes to get the hair completely clean, depending on how relaxed the animal is, said 17-year-old Brad Powell of Lookingglass.
That time does include some attention to the feet. It isn't quite like a pedicure, though.
Not really.
"Usually a more stiff brush works on the feet," Brad said. "That stuff is hard to get out."
* You can reach reporter Paul Craig at 957-4211 or by e-mail at pcraig@newsreview.info.
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