FARMINGTON — The sun shone on the Farmington Fairgrounds Monday where schoolchildren converged to see animals and agricultural educational programs and displays.

The fair opened on Sunday.

Ashley Hardy of the Hardy Farm in Farmington bathed Abbilyn, an Ayrshire cow, at the wash station near the barns.

Her father-in-law, Henry Hardy, washed down Valentine, a cow of the same breed.

The cattle are washed daily at the fair, Ashley Hardy said.

The family’s cattle participate in the 4-H show and the open show for the farm.

This year, the Hardy’s brought 11 Ayrshires and two Holsteins to the fairgrounds.

Down at the other end of the grounds, Rebekah Adams of Farmington watched over Gomer and Spike, two oxen belonging to her boyfriend, William Powell of Canton, Mass.

The Chianina oxen, weighing a total of 3,300 pounds, were waiting in line outside the pulling ring to demonstrate their strength.

Kevin Daley of Knox stood nearby with his two Chianina-mix oxen, Curly, 8, and Spike, 6, who were ready to go.

The 28-year-old man has participated in oxen pulling since he was a kid.

“It is kind of a hobby,” he said.

Another oxen puller needed somebody to stand with a pair of animals. Daley watched over them while someone else came to attend to his.

“It’s like a big family,” Adams said of the pullers helping each other.

Up at the Franklin County Agricultural Association’s treasurer and secretary’s office, Tom White, superintendent of buildings and grounds, said that opening day went very well.

“It was a little cool with the wind, but once it calmed down, it was nice,” White said.

There was a good crowd at both the fair and the racetrack, he said.

“We have some new vendors and some new food booths,” he said.

The fair has been running 174 years, so organizers and workers have it down so that the event operates pretty smoothly, he said.

dperry@sunjournal.com