The Chicken Man brightens fair showmanship day
Known as The Chicken Man, poultry judge Larry Lakoi believes promoting the joy that comes with showing an animal at the fair is every bit as important as educating the 4-H kids about their poultry.
Showing any animal at the Holmes County Fair can be an overwhelming moment for any youngster, and showing chickens is no different than any other animal when the bright lights and all eyes are on the kids in the ring.
For poultry judge Larry Lakoi, taking some of the pressure off of the participants is key, which is why the longtime judge dons his chicken cap that he’s donned for more than two decades and tries to put the kids at ease.
“The No. 1 reason people come to the fair is because they want to be in a good mood and be happy, and my goal is to try to put a smile on everyone’s face if I can,” Lakoi said. “I think by doing what I do, it distracts the kids from being as nervous, and when they are at ease, they have a whole lot more joy in showing their animals.”
Lakoi has made a lifetime of creating fun by handing out fun novelty items to the kids and even those in the crowd.
“Yeah, I like to keep things lively,” he said.
Having served as a judge for 55 years and having been a part of Ohio’s fairs in 84 of the 88 counties, Lakoi has seen his fair share of 4-H kids come through the junior fair system, some of them quite comfortable in the ring and others showing nerves that can crop up far too easily.
That’s why Lakoi chooses to take time talking with each of the participants almost as though they were his grandchildren, providing wisdom and making sure the learning process is a big part of the equation.
“The easiest way they can learn is by simply listening to others who are knowledgeable and taking it all in,” Lakoi said.
As a longtime teacher, Lakoi understands the value of learning something along with the process. Thus, he said while it might be an oddity, he gives the younger kids, many of whom may be showing an animal for the first time, a chance to go out into the audience and ask them for answers to questions he poses, should they not know the answer.
“Ultimately, if I can help these kids learn during the process, then that’s a great thing,” Lakoi said.
As for the Holmes County 4-H kids who performed in front of him during the showmanship show in the large arena, Lakoi was impressed, top to bottom, from the senior showmen to the intermediate and juniors.
“These kids all knew their stuff,” Lakoi said. “They were well-prepared and did a great job, and that’s not the case at all the junior fairs I judge. You can always tell when the kids are well-prepared to get into the ring, and these kids were very well-prepared. It was a great group.”
Lakoi said his hope is each participant learns at least one new thing about their poultry project during the showmanship contest.
As a 4-H advisor for three decades and an FFA advisor for as many years, Lakoi said he knows what it’s like being on the other side of the process when you’re being judged for your showmanship and knowledge.
That’s why educating, presenting a show that is enjoyable and seeing junior fair participants rise in numbers from year to year are all critical points he likes to stress.
“Get other kids involved and active in the 4-H program because they’ll have a good time,” Lakoi said.
The Chicken Man, who in his spare time also is recognized by many fans of Ohio State football as the “Buckeyeman” — where he was voted the national winner of the What-a-Fan Award and NCAA Fan of the Year — knows how to have a good time, spread the good cheer and make the pressure each youth experiences a little more bearable through his wit and humor.
Lakoi graduated from the Ohio State University in 1973, having taught and retired from a career in agricultural education. During his career as a teacher and FFA advisor, he coached 27 Ohio winning 4-H and FFA poultry judging teams.