For Easton Frank of Geneseo, showing animals at the Rock Island County Fair is more than just a summertime tradition—it’s a way of life that demands dedication, grit, and a whole lot of early mornings.
“We had our open show this morning, and I’ll show in the junior show tomorrow,” Easton shared while taking a quick break in the sheep barn. One of his sheep poked its head curiously through the gate, drawing smiles from passersby.
When asked what most people don’t realize about raising and showing livestock, Easton didn’t hesitate. “You’ve got to be out in the hottest of the hot days and the coldest of the coldest days,” he said. “Sometimes we’re up at 5 a.m. for a sheep having a lamb—or even 1 a.m. You can’t tell them to wait until morning.”
Despite the hard work, Easton says the fair is something he looks forward to. “We’ve been coming here for quite a while now—it’s a fun fair.” And when it comes to fair food, he sticks with the classics: “A corn dog and a funnel cake.”
From long nights in the barn to bright lights on the fairgrounds, Easton Frank embodies the spirit of youth in agriculture—hardworking, humble, and always ready to lend a hand.