SILVANA — The Silvana Fair marks a unique overlap in the seasons in that it marks the start of not only the fair season for many young breeders and showers of livestock, but also the final month of summer vacation for school-age families.

At age 7, Josh Marty made his third annual (and successful) climb up the greased pole, nabbing himself an envelope with $5 inside.

Unlike other kids, who dug their hands and feet in the dirt around the pole to give themselves extra traction, Josh just shucked his shirt and clambered up to the top, bare-chested.

“His sheer endurance is what gave him the edge,” said his dad, Travis. “He simply fails to give up.”

While Josh contemplated what to spend his prize money on, Gary Dawson did some digging into the ground of his own, as the wheels of his “John Deere wannabe” Craftsman riding mower successfully completed the tractor-pull event.

Dawson estimated he must have spent at least $400 on the tires alone, which gave him more traction than competitors whose wheels spun out in the soil.

“I’ve invested quite a lot of money and time in this rig,” Dawson told rapt onlookers, touting the machine’s two-cylinder, 18-horsepower Briggs and Stratton engine.

In the pigpen, Arlington’s Hope Vanleuven demonstrated that she knows as much about pigs as Dawson knows about mowers.

Hope is turning 10 in August, and this marked her second year of following in her mother’s footsteps by showing pigs at the Silvana Fair.

Hope’s mom was a state champion, and with ribbons and trophies ranging from “Best in Show” to “Fitting and Showing Champion,” Hope is well on her way to emulating that success.

“They’re heavy, and they like to step on people, and it can hurt a lot,” Hope said of Dottie, a Gloucestershire Old Spots pig born in March, and Sweetheart, a Duroc pig born in February. “My mom got broken bones in her feet, so she’s pretty used to it.”

When Hope’s pigs are “naughty and try to push people around,” she sits down with them and “makes them take a time out,” which also gives her time to get off her sore feet.

Margaret Haesler, also 9, took the skills she’s honed in the Silvana 4-H to score “Best in Show” for rabbits her first time out.

“It’s helped my rabbits be healthier, since I take good care of them, and it’s made them better pets,” Margaret said, as she held Willow, her prize-winning Netherland Dwarf Silver Marten rabbit, whose only a year and a half old. “I feed them oats, which helps with their fur.”

Jessica Kramne, superintendent of rabbits and cavies for the fair, reported that 45 kids entered 75 rabbits, “the most we’ve seen in years,” and touted the benefits of the fair for young showers and breeders.

“We let them know if they need to do things like clip the critters’ toenails, to help them get ready for the rest of the fairs in the season,” Kramne said. “It’s very educational.”