It's the moment everyone's been waiting for . . . Harold is about to announce the winners of the Wool Show Animal Competition!
Benny volunteered to take notes and keep all of the awards in order, and Harold was ready to begin. When he stepped out under the lights with all the awards before him and raised that microphone, you could have heard a pin drop, all eyes on him alone. Even the animals were quiet! It's a good thing that Harold doesn't suffer from stage fright.
(By the way, do you notice that paper sticking out of Harold's back pocket? Well, let me tell you. It's his "10 Reasons Why You Should Love Wool" paper, and he's been reciting it all over Islandshire for months now. Bad enough to have had to listen to it all the time, but he had the nerve to actually quiz you from time to time. Even with the show over, we have little hope of him archiving it. Maybe if we all just memorize it and pass the test, it would help . . . Harold is always ready to pitch in and help, but he takes everything very seriously and likes to do his best at all times. Not quite a perfectionist, but he doesn't like to goof up. Everyone loves him for it, and he's one of our most popular residents.)
(By the way, do you notice that paper sticking out of Harold's back pocket? Well, let me tell you. It's his "10 Reasons Why You Should Love Wool" paper, and he's been reciting it all over Islandshire for months now. Bad enough to have had to listen to it all the time, but he had the nerve to actually quiz you from time to time. Even with the show over, we have little hope of him archiving it. Maybe if we all just memorize it and pass the test, it would help . . . Harold is always ready to pitch in and help, but he takes everything very seriously and likes to do his best at all times. Not quite a perfectionist, but he doesn't like to goof up. Everyone loves him for it, and he's one of our most popular residents.)
Click on photos to enlarge.
"Testing . . . testing . . . 1-2-3 . . . Perfect. Let's get started!" (Boy, did Harold love the new PA system!)
"This large ribbon goes to Murphy," said Harold in a clear voice over the loudspeaker. "Congratulations, Audie. Murphy is certainly the biggest animal on Islandshire. He has the finest buffalo fibre I've ever seen. And let's not forget that he's tops in buffalo rides. You did a nice job saddle-breaking him!"
Audie proudly pinned his award onto his shirt. Murphy pawed the ground. Benny took notes. The crowd clapped and cheered.
"This large ribbon goes to Murphy," said Harold in a clear voice over the loudspeaker. "Congratulations, Audie. Murphy is certainly the biggest animal on Islandshire. He has the finest buffalo fibre I've ever seen. And let's not forget that he's tops in buffalo rides. You did a nice job saddle-breaking him!"
Audie proudly pinned his award onto his shirt. Murphy pawed the ground. Benny took notes. The crowd clapped and cheered.
"And this ribbon goes to Fluffer," announced Harold, as he picked up a smaller (but equally impressive) ribbon. "Congratulations, Eloy. Fluffer is a beautiful example of his breed, with the most amazing Alpaca fibre I've ever seen. He must be the softest animal in the world!"
Eloy proudly pinned his award onto his shirt and gave a loving look to his beautiful pet. Fluffer stood up a little taller. Benny took notes. The crowd clapped and cheered.
Eloy proudly pinned his award onto his shirt and gave a loving look to his beautiful pet. Fluffer stood up a little taller. Benny took notes. The crowd clapped and cheered.
"And now, this ribbon goes to Nick," said Harold, holding up a special rabbit-sized award. "Congratulations, Jill. Nick may be the smallest animal here today, but he's got the silkiest bunny fibre I've ever seen. And let's not forget his impressive training for searching out clues!"
Jill proudly pinned her award onto her dress. Nick sniffed Harold's shoe. Benny took notes. The crowd clapped and cheered.
Jill proudly pinned her award onto her dress. Nick sniffed Harold's shoe. Benny took notes. The crowd clapped and cheered.
"The next award goes to Steviekins!" Harold held up a perfectly cat-sized ribbon. "Congratulations, Eydie. Steviekins is the one of the friendliest, cuddliest and most magnificent cats . . . ever."
Eydie proudly pinned her award onto her sweater and patted Steviekins on the head. Steviekins waggled his tail. Benny took notes. The crowd clapped and cheered.
Eydie proudly pinned her award onto her sweater and patted Steviekins on the head. Steviekins waggled his tail. Benny took notes. The crowd clapped and cheered.
"And now, this beautiful ribbon goes to Sheepie," said Harold happily. "Congratulations, Eliot. Sheepie certainly deserves recognition for her perfectly black fibre, as well as for your great training and her perfect obedience."
Eliot proudly pinned his award to his jacket. Sheepie wagged her tail. Benny took notes. The crowd clapped and cheered.
Eliot proudly pinned his award to his jacket. Sheepie wagged her tail. Benny took notes. The crowd clapped and cheered.
"This next award goes to Berengaria, another nice sheep," said Harold, as he flourished another lovely ribbon. "Congratulations, Bunty. This award is for Berengaria as the most wonderful milker, whose milk makes both the tastiest of cheeses and Truannie's favourite drink."
I felt pretty proud of my beauty as I pinned the award to my dress. Berengaria just blinked sweetly. Benny took notes. The crowd clapped and cheered.
I felt pretty proud of my beauty as I pinned the award to my dress. Berengaria just blinked sweetly. Benny took notes. The crowd clapped and cheered.
"And now we come to that amazing individual, Islandshire's only chicken, Flossie!" Harold held up a very small Flossie-sized ribbon. "Congratulations, Nanea. This is for the best dressed, best trained, best laying hen on the island. Flossie is one amazing chicken!"
Nanea proudly bent down and pinned the award to Flossie's collar. Flossie clucked. Benny took notes. The crowd clapped and cheered.
Nanea proudly bent down and pinned the award to Flossie's collar. Flossie clucked. Benny took notes. The crowd clapped and cheered.
"The next ribbon goes to Albie . . . the cutest lamb (with loads of personality) who is going to have the longest locks on Islandshire when he grows up!"
I proudly pinned Albie's ribbon onto my dress beside Berengaria's award. Albie stepped on the microphone cord. Benny took notes. The crowd clapped and cheered.
I proudly pinned Albie's ribbon onto my dress beside Berengaria's award. Albie stepped on the microphone cord. Benny took notes. The crowd clapped and cheered.
"Last but not least, the final ribbon goes to Kevin. She's definitely the most colourful and unique bird on Islandshire," said Harold happily. "Congratulations, Sun-Ho. You have an all-around great pet!"
Sun-Ho proudly pinned his ribbon onto his jacket. Kevin squawked. Benny took notes. The crowd clapped and cheered.
There were now just two awards left: People's Choice and Best of Show. Harold would award the Best of Show trophy now, and then the crowds would have a chance to view all of the animals and vote for their favorite choice. "Everyone back in line, and I'll award the nice shiny trophy!"
Sun-Ho proudly pinned his ribbon onto his jacket. Kevin squawked. Benny took notes. The crowd clapped and cheered.
There were now just two awards left: People's Choice and Best of Show. Harold would award the Best of Show trophy now, and then the crowds would have a chance to view all of the animals and vote for their favorite choice. "Everyone back in line, and I'll award the nice shiny trophy!"
Harold stood in front of all the amazing pets, thoughtfully considering each one for Best of Show animal. We could all hear the crowd whispering to each other, trying to guess who would be chosen. (Actually, it was more like they were trying to influence the judge, because all you heard from every corner was "I'd vote for that one.") Harold suddenly laid down the trophy and motioned for me to come over for a quick "executive conference".
"I'm awarding this Best of Show trophy to the owner as well as the animal, right?" asked Harold. "My feeling is that it has to be a package deal: how exemplary the animal is, how healthy they are, how well the owner cares for them and loves them, right?" "Right." The conference was over, and this "show coordinator/executive" walked back to get in line again with her pets. We all had full confidence in Harold being always the best of judges.
Satisfied that he understood the qualifications, Harold picked up the trophy again and turned the microphone back on. (Berengaria wondered if it tasted good.) A hush came over the crowd.
Satisfied that he understood the qualifications, Harold picked up the trophy again and turned the microphone back on. (Berengaria wondered if it tasted good.) A hush came over the crowd.
"And now, our Best of Show trophy . . ." said Harold in his most official judge-like voice. Everyone held their breath. ". . . goes to Flossie and Nanea!" The crowd burst out into very loud cheers and applause.
"I can't think of a better recipient for Islandshire's first Wool-Week Grand Champion," said Harold, as the pair came forward. "This is for Flossie, because she is so well behaved, well trained and such an amazing specimen of her breed. And it's also for Nanea, for all of her exceptional care and love for her feathered friend."
The sight of Flossie waddling towards the trophy (all decked out in her pineapple skirt and fancy collar) made everyone cheer even louder. Nanea was so shocked and happy that she was quivering and crying. Bewilderedly, Harold told her that it was "supposed to be a happy trophy". Nanea responded with "I'm a girl. These are happy tears." Benny took his last notes, and the crowd applauded again for both Nanea and Flossie!
"I can't think of a better recipient for Islandshire's first Wool-Week Grand Champion," said Harold, as the pair came forward. "This is for Flossie, because she is so well behaved, well trained and such an amazing specimen of her breed. And it's also for Nanea, for all of her exceptional care and love for her feathered friend."
The sight of Flossie waddling towards the trophy (all decked out in her pineapple skirt and fancy collar) made everyone cheer even louder. Nanea was so shocked and happy that she was quivering and crying. Bewilderedly, Harold told her that it was "supposed to be a happy trophy". Nanea responded with "I'm a girl. These are happy tears." Benny took his last notes, and the crowd applauded again for both Nanea and Flossie!
Flossie studied her trophy and seemed particularly unaffected at having just been pronounced a Grand Champion chicken. It looked a bit too small for roosting on, anyway . . . Nanea had never known such happiness, having had no idea that Flossie would have even been considered for this honor. What a proud moment!
"Will everyone please return their pets to the pens? We need to give the crowd some times to come forward and vote for the People's Choice Award!" Harold went to get some lemonade, and Benny went to congratulate his sister . . .
Give us a couple minutes to tally the votes, and we'll be back to announce the People's Choice winner.
And the winner is . . .
Tomorrow is the last official day of Wool Week! Come back then to see highlights from the last two events, fun at the Bran Tub and the Door Prize drawing.
(Next week, we'll try and get a couple of posts up to show behind-the-scenes and "the making of" shots. Hopefully, we can answer some of your questions about the what and how. It would help if you asked your questions ahead of time, so please don't be afraid to ask what something is or how we made/did it.)
For all you number crunchers, here are the poll results:
Albie (20)
Murphy (7)
Sheepie (5)
Steviekins (4)
Fluffer (3)
Nick (3)
Berengaria (2)
Kevin (2)
Flossie (1)
(Next week, we'll try and get a couple of posts up to show behind-the-scenes and "the making of" shots. Hopefully, we can answer some of your questions about the what and how. It would help if you asked your questions ahead of time, so please don't be afraid to ask what something is or how we made/did it.)
For all you number crunchers, here are the poll results:
Albie (20)
Murphy (7)
Sheepie (5)
Steviekins (4)
Fluffer (3)
Nick (3)
Berengaria (2)
Kevin (2)
Flossie (1)