XENIA — Modeling wool clothing in July with a headstrong, gussied-up lamb in tow can be a hot job — a far cry from the big-city catwalk.

But what Sunday's competition during the opening day of the Greene County Fair gave up in glamour, it more than made up for in family support.

Kolby Mueller, 6, of Beavercreek Twp. wore what he called his "rich suit" — a wool tuxedo, complete with cummerbund, that his mother, Gail, had bought on eBay.

Kolby admitted he felt "kinda sweaty" after leading around big sister Kylie's lamb, Rex. But he kept grinning, returning a bit later in the afternoon as Willy Wonka — his outfit complete with purple jacket and tails. Rex came dressed as a Wonka chocolate bar.

Kolby's family has a long history of involvement at the fair. Gail Mueller has been a 4-H adviser for 22 years; her brother, Gary Hutchison, has been an adviser for 27 years. Their parents, Bob and Barbara Hutchison, have 51 years as advisers under their belts.

"It's truly a family project," Gail Mueller said.

Modeling wool outfits is meant to promote the sheep industry, said Heidi Basinger, an event organizer.

Basinger's daughter Jenna, 8, of Ross Twp., won one competition as Dorothy from "The Wizard of Oz." She led her older brother Jordan's 4-H lamb, dressed as the Tin Man, around the ring.

She also modeled an outfit that her grandmother, Pauletta Evans, had made about 30 years earlier for Heidi to wear at the fair. Evans updated the dress with sequins and a butterfly appliqué.

"It was really hot," Jenna said of dressing in wool, her hair still in Dorothy-like French braids.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7457 or

bsutherly@DaytonDailyNews.com.

Monday's events

8 a.m.: Breeding Gilt & Swine Showmanship

8:30 a.m.: 4-H Rabbit Show

9 a.m.: Dog costume contest

Noon: Thompson country concert

1 p.m.: Turkey show

2 p.m.: Tractor & All-Terrain Vehicle Rodeo

3 p.m.: Poultry judging

6:30 p.m.: Egg launch

6:30 p.m.: Truck pull

7 p.m.: Dairy cattle judging

7:30 p.m.: 4-H Style Revue