Despite being just a year-and-half old, Kayla is a demanding diva. Every day, Hannah Topmiller, 13, of Pleasant Plain, works between 1 1/2 and 2 hours to meet Kayla’s needs, including brushing, washing and blow-drying her luscious black hair, keeping her in a climate-controlled room and taking her for walks.

Kayla is an 1,100-pound heifer and when she doesn’t feel like moving, there is very little Hannah can do about it.

“She can be pretty demanding,” Hannah admits. “But it’s worth it for the fair.”

Hannah is just one of the nearly 1,000 students entering projects in the Warren County Fair that starts next Tuesday and runs through July 21 at the Warren County Fairgrounds, 665 N. Broadway in Lebanon.

The fair is one day shorter this year after a decrease in attendance, said Fair Secretary Tari Maddox.

Last year’s fair drew 40,000 people, down from higher attendance numbers of 45,000 in the previous few years, Maddox said, a drop she blames on the heat wave that struck during last year’s fair week.

Maddox said the fair is keeping many of the most popular attractions of the past few years, including the ornamental chain saw woodcarver, the demolition derby and the tractor and truck pulls.

“Our goal is to promote a great family-friendly atmosphere for everyone,” Maddox said.

“People come here to ride rides, see displays and see cows and pigs up close. We have lots of fun shows planned, with something for everybody.”

The heart of the fair remains the student projects, which range from photography to model rockets to animal competitions, like the ones Hannah is entering with Kayla.

“I love the food,” Hannah said. “Friend cheese, elephant ears, funnel cakes — it’s all great.”