Kids, families prepare for DuPage Co. Fair's animal exhibitions

Raising pigs is a Modaff family tradition.

Naperville couple Jack and Tracy Modaff both raised show pigs as children.

Jack's father, Nick Modaff Jr., is retired from competition but is in his 50th year as a superintendent for the DuPage County Fair swine exhibition.

Tracy's father, Mike Drendel, was so prominent in pig farming that the fair's swine building is now dedicated to him.

This year, the third generation of Modaffs is making its mark at the county fair, which opens today and runs through Sunday at 2015 W. Manchester Road, Wheaton. Jack and Tracy's sons, 10-year-old Jackson and 9-year-old Thomas, are entering 12 pigs in Thursday's 4-H and Junior Open Class Swine Show.

"My mom and dad showed pigs whens they were kids, so when I was 8 or 9 I started doing it to keep the family tradition going," Jackson said.

Raising pigs is practically a full-time job for Jackson, Thomas and their parents. In recent weeks, the Modaffs have had to make three trips each day to the pigs' home near Yorkville to make sure they were eating properly and were at the proper weight.

"It's a lot of work, but we all help out," Tracy said.

The Modaff's youngest child, 5-year-old Baylee, even comes along to competitions, Tracy said.

"Baylee likes to lay with the pigs while they're in the pens," she said.

All exhibition animals were brought to the DuPage County Fairgrounds on Tuesday to be registered and weighed.

The 4-H and Junior Open Class Swine Show takes place at 8 a.m. Thursday in the Swine Show Ring. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top pigs in each class.

Pigs are judged on physical attributes, including their muscle composition and ability to walk. A good pig, Thomas said, will have legs just far enough apart to roll a bowling ball under its body.

Though Jackson and Thomas have high hopes for all their entries, they said their best chance will be a large pig named Kitts.

"He's awesome," Jackson said. "His body looks so good."

The 4-H club is dedicated to developing youth in the areas of leadership, healthy living, citizenship, science, engineering and technology. The program is open to all children 18 and younger.

As part of the DuPage County 4-H club, Jackson and Thomas spend a lot of time with friends at various competitions and fairs throughout the summer. They most recently showed their pigs at last week's Kane County Fair.

"It's a lot of fun to just see your friends and play and have fun with the pigs," Jackson said.

Nathan Saso, 11, of Garden Prairie is also a 4-H member and a good friend of the Modaffs. He brought 27 pigs to the fair, most of which he raised from piglets.

Besides competing in Thursday's showcase, Nathan hopes to sell at least 10 of his pigs in the livestock auction.

"For some of the pigs I can get over $300," he said. "I usually save that money for more feed."

Another 4-H member, 18-year-old Kelli Lyne of West Chicago, will compete in Friday's rabbit competition. She started participating in exhibitions after discovering her love for rabbits when she was just 10.

"I started with two pet rabbits and then started buying show rabbits," she said. "Now I have about 50."

Other 4-H competitions include sheep, poultry and beef today, goats on Thursday and dairy on Friday.

A complete fair schedule can be found at www.dupagecountyfair.org.