CANFIELD, Ohio - It's been a tradition at the Canfield Fair for 29 years but it's not your typical animal showing.

The Mahoning Valley Llama Club preps for the Canfield Fair throughout the summer. How? They train llamas on different obstacles in an effort to win first place at the fair's Llama Obstacle Course.

It's a crowd favorite that also teaches the kids involved valuable skills and gives them life-long memories.

The first day of the 177th Canfield Fair was in full swing Wednesday with thousands of attendees, hundreds of food options, and dozens of activities. A Wednesday fan favorite, the llama obstacle course.

"We work all summer," explained Jeff Zohnd. "The kids come out once a week to our farm and work with the animals. We have an obstacle course at home and they practice there."

The event is exactly what it sounds like. 19 total participants took their four-legged friends through a course of challenges that's different every year.

"We've seen the growth of the kids over the years," Zohnd said. "My one daughter was very shy and she wouldn't talk to people and she changed completely going through this event."

"I just really love working with animals so being able to work with an animal and show the progress we've made is really nice," said Chelsee Chaffee of Columbiana. 

Some llamas were more skilled than others. Some weren't camera-shy about their performance. Handlers told 21 News the program has helped them immensely throughout their childhood, teaching them patience, teamwork, and how to manage challenging situations.

"I've been doing this for like 10 years now," said Tadhg Donnelly of Ausitntown. "It's taught me specifically not to take things so seriously. There's been some ups and some downs but it's all about the llamas."

"I've been doing 4H for 13 years," said Ryleigh Zohnd of Columbiana. "I keep coming back because of my family. They're in charge of it and I enjoy it."

While everyone took home a ribbon, the event meant much more, providing kids around the Mahoning Valley with new opportunities and life skills they'll take with them as they grow.

It's Youth Day at the Canfield Fair on Thursday, which means kids 12 and under get FREE admission.
There will also be a ribbon cutting to officially open the fair at noon.
Rabbit judging, Junior pig judging, and the Western Reserve Wood Carvers will all be available for attendees.
Goat milk fudge will also be available from 5:30p.m. - 6:30p.m.