Another fair season is in the books and there is a lingering question that has been asked by many fair patrons over the years. “Why are they all wearing white clothes?” Many conversations at the fair focus on the fact that it was and still is a poor choice to be dressed all in white while working with animals, especially when these animals freely and frequently relieve themselves. The history of why showmen wear white seems to be elusive.
In 1902, a youth program was developed in Clark County, Ohio to help bring new agricultural ideas and practices into the community through young people, using them to help older farmers adapt to new ideas. After school clubs and fairs were formed about the same time in Minnesota, essentially becoming the birth of modern day 4-H in the United States. During the early 1900’s, youth started displaying animals for judging which included the ability to show the animal to its greatest advantage or “Showmanship”. Soon the idea of displaying animals and rules for showmanship were adopted by many organizations (http://www.4-h.org/about/4-h-history/).
There are many guidelines for animal showmanship depending on what species and part of the United States you are in. The majority of these are similar to that of the American Holstein foundation showmanship recommendations. One must wear white pants and shirt, be clean and neat, and do not wear anything that will draw attention to you instead of the animal. Farm names, logos, wording or flashy colors can distract from the animal itself.
http://www.holsteinfoundation.org/pdf_doc/workbooks/Showring_Ready_Workbook.pdf
The majority of NY State 4-H clubs stress the white dress code for showmanship for all of the animal species. When Bernie Wiesen, our Rensselaer County 4-H issue leader was asked about this dress code, she explained that her understanding was that it is a sign of cleanliness. Animal agriculture is the start of the food process and white represents sterility. It also provides a clean uniform appearance that gives all the kids an impartial look that does not distract from judging the animal. Using white clothes for showmanship is not limited to the United States. The concept carries on in several countries including our northern neighbor, Canada. There are slight differences in the types of clothes worn and how elaborate the attire is but for the most part it is white.
One resounding answer found while researching the history of white attire for showmanship was that it is tradition, the way it has always been done. Adults that participated in 4H or at fairs were always told that you wear white for showmanship. For now, one may ponder why it started and be glad that there are still people in the world willing to don white clothes and exhibit their animals.
Contact: Kirk Shoen, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County kjs264@cornell.edu (518) 272-4210.
