It 's county fair season in Wisconsin -- when you can ride a Ferris wheel, win a giant stuffed gorilla at a ring toss, watch a "spine-tingling, death-defying " daredevil show, share a funnel cake with your family and watch sparkling clean hogs snore in a pen, all in one afternoon.

It 's the kind of fun that is hard to come by at any other time of the year.

But it 's something else, too.

At the heart of most fairs are boys and girls who spend months, sometimes even years, raising cows, pigs, sheep, guinea pigs, birds and a variety of other animals, or who design clothing, complete science exhibits or do any of dozens of other projects -- all put on display to be judged.

The fair is their time to shine.

And it 's our time to celebrate their efforts.

At the Dane County Fair -- Wednesday through Sunday, with a preview Tuesday evening -- 1,055 young people are scheduled to exhibit projects. Virtually all are members of 4-H clubs or FFA (formerly Future Farmers of America).

For them, the fair is what a spelling bee or athletic championship might be to others -- the culmination of lots of hard work.

The livestock and pet exhibitors highlight the essence of the fair. These young people spend months feeding, training and otherwise caring for their animals. They keep careful records on expenses. They cope with love and grief as their animals present them with happy surprises and occasional tragedies.

Before the fair, there is scrubbing, grooming, hauling and more caring.

At the fair there is fun with friends, pride in accomplishment and excitement in anticipation of judges ' results.

To understand the value of the experience, consider the code exhibitors are required to follow: "I realize that I am responsible for the proper care and treatment of my animals, the production of wholesome food and the development of sound moral character in myself and others. "

And from the same code: "I wish for my animal project to be an example of how to accept what life has to offer -- good and bad -- and how to live with the outcome. "

So when you attend your local fair, keep in mind the young exhibitors and the lessons they are learning.

You might just learn something too.