Some families go camping, some go fishing, but the Scramlin family goes to fairs.
So says Stacy Scramlin, 26, a 1999 Brandon High School graduate and one of five generations of Scramlins to participate in 4-H and the Oakland County Fair, now in its 104th year.
‘The fair is our family event,? says Stacy. ‘We have great memories.?
Stacy’s parents are L.C. and Jackie Scramlin. L.C. is the Oakland County Fair’s general manager, while Jackie is on the Board of Directors. In the 1920s, L.C.’s grandfather, Will Sutton, started the Oakhill 4-H Club, the second oldest club in the state. He was also the founder of a 4-H Club on Sands Road. L.C.’s parents, William and Maureen Scramlin, were 4-H leaders for more than 50 years in Ortonville.
‘More than 30 family members have been in 4-H,? L.C. says. ‘We are blessed.?
He looks now toward his great-nephews, Joshua, 10, and Jacob, 7, who are leading lambs by the leash. These members of the youngest generation will show the lambs in the Oakland County Fair, set for July 10-15 at Springfield Oaks County Park, 12451 Andersonville Road, Davisburg.
The youngsters are also raising pigs, ducks and chickens that they will show.
‘I like being around them all day,? says Josh. ‘I have learned how to do things others don’t? like how to walk a sheep.?
The boys? mother, Melissa Scramlin, chimes in that they have learned responsibility.
Melissa, who is married to L.C.’s nephew, Kevin, says she was also in 4-H as a child, but entered ceramics and drawings.
‘A lot of kids think they need to take animals, but there is so much more you can do,? says Melissa.
Animals, however, are what helped pay for Stacy Scramlin’s college education. She raised sheep, hogs and cattle, as well as rabbits and horses, and sold them at auction through the years. She received her bachelor’s degree in animal science from Michigan State University, then her master’s degree from the University of Kentucky in animal and food science and is pursuing a doctorate from the University of Illinois. She plans to teach animal and food science one day, the study of how to make food from animals safer and of higher quality.
The family has had winners every year in the fair including champion or reserve champion, and some years have had multiple wins.
Stacy’s favorite fair memory is the year her younger sister, Lisa, beat her in overall showmanship. Stacy took second place.
‘It was the first time a pair of siblings stood first and second (in overall showmanship),? recalls Stacy. ‘It meant a lot to me.?
L.C. says over the years, it has been very rewarding for him to see all the families and generations affected by the fair.
‘They come and go and come back again,? he says. ‘Everything that happens in life happens on the fairground… Winning, losing, fun, responsibility, and almost any life experience happens as a family (when you’re involved in the fair)… As leaders, you help kids through the tough times and the good times.?
Details: (248) 634-8830 or visit www.oakfair.org