By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
The Wood County Fair Ring of Dreams Livestock Show 4.0 is bigger and better than the previous three years.
The show, which lets individuals with developmental disabilities show animals alongside junior fair exhibitors, is more than double in size from the first show in 2023.
This year includes 90 participants and 76 junior fair mentors, compared to 43 participants and 35 junior fair members the first year, 54 participants and 46 mentors in 2024, and 75 participants and 64 mentors in 2025.
Each year, Ring of Dreams creator Amanda Barndt, who borrowed the idea from Henry County Fair’s Shine in the Show Ring, finds ways to expand the program. And it’s not just increasing the numbers as more people hear about it and want to participate. She makes each touchpoint special, from sign-up and practice nights to the actual show that is part of the Wood County Fair.
Admittedly, she doesn’t do it alone. The Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities promotes the show experience to its entire community and also sponsors Let Your Abilities Shine Day on the same fair day as the Ring of Dreams. This year the show will be at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6.
The Wood County Senior Fair Board grants her use of the Pratt Pavilion for the livestock show.
Because of the show’s success, new and returning sponsors are lined up and eager to support the event that is all about smiles, friendships and making a difference in the lives of the participants and the mentors.
The strong contingent of donors enables Barndt to provide each participant, mentor and volunteer a show T-shirt. There is a goodie bag of other items that she gives to participants and mentors to commemorate the experience. Vendors also contribute food for participants, their families/caregivers, and mentors on sign-up, practice and show days. This year each junior fair mentor will have a banner on their animal’s pen signifying they are Ring of Dream mentors.
Last year, Barndt introduced a new twist as a pilot project. With some of the donated funds, she was able to provide two junior fair members with scholarships to supplement their 4-H project for items like feed, barn rent or other supplies.
This year, the experiential scholarship expanded to six junior fair members who share a more involved learning experience with their partners. They meet at least five times throughout the summer for lessons beyond how to show the rabbit, goat, sheep, beef feeder or chicken. Together they feed, walk, groom and clean up pens for a more complete experience.
Aunt Manda’s big heart
Known for the love she regularly showers on all her nieces, nephews, and cousins’ and friends’ kids, Barndt has two reasons to be extra excited for this year’s show. Her oldest nephew, who is 10, is a first-time mentor for his “Aunt Manda’s” Ring of Dreams.
And as she said, “If you wondered why I pour my entire heart into this show,” it’s personal. She learned about the Shine in the Show Ring not long after her cousin’s son Liam was born with special needs due to a rare genetic disorder called 18q deletion syndrome.
“As soon as I saw the Henry County show, I was like, ‘Oh, we have to have this in Wood County,’” she said.
With all her heart, she believes “everybody deserves the chance to show livestock.” She knew if she started a similar program in Wood County, Liam would eventually have that opportunity.
This is the year. Liam, at five years old, is now old enough to show a lamb, just like his older sister. At the Ring of Dreams practice event on July 21, Liam was all smiles as he moved a lamb like a pro. “Aunt Manda” was beaming.
“He’s super-special to us. This is a special year getting to see him show,” she said as she choked up a bit.
While he was one of the biggest reasons she started the show, she now has 89 other individuals of all ages who get to show animals, and 76 junior fair kids who share their expertise and gain new friendships. They all get to experience “Aunt Manda’s” energy and passion for the joy of showing animals.
Barndt, who calls Ring of Dreams “the best show because it’s the only show that everybody leaves happy,” recommends anyone interested in seeing the Aug. 6, 5 p.m. show arrive early. “The seats fill up really fast, which is always a wonderful thing.”
