Bee and beekeeper costumes take top prize

As if a 4-month old goat dressed up like a bee wasn't cute enough, her 10-year-old handler also had to get in on the action.

"She was a bee and I decided to be a bee keeper," said Tyler Vierck of Harvard.

The open goat costume show at the McHenry County Fair was just one of a few activities that centered around goats.

The 4-H dairy goat show, as well as the junior dairy goat show were also held Thursday on the Woodstock fairgrounds.

Tyler and Diamond - the name of the Nigerian dwarf goat that was his partner - won first place for their costumes in the 8- to 11-year-old age group.

The goat's owner, Dawn Bihlmaier, had already bought the black and yellow bee costume complete with wings and black head dress last fall during a Halloween clearance sale.

Together, Tyler and his mother Heather Vierck created the beekeeper costume,

They used the Internet to find out how bee keepers dressed and stitched black screening from the family's camper to a relative's white floppy hat to create the perfect lid.

White jeans and a white sweatshirt completed the look.

Vierck said the costume was a great way to bond with her son, while Tyler said he learned how to do research and how to walk with Diamond during the contest - a skill he says will help him at next year's county fair.

The McHenry County Fair continues through Sunday. Other events include a rooster crowing contest, a wool spinning demonstration and a demolition derby.

For more information or directions, visit www.mchenrycountyfair.com.