Last week's fair was a perfect showcase for the bounty of Park County.Adults and kids alike put their talents and hard work on display for all to see. Jelly jars, artwork, baked goods, crops and livestock all were evidence of a season's worth of toil.Park County youth worked especially hard — putting in countless hours — to bring healthy, high-quality animals to the fair. Once at the fairgrounds, the same kids groomed, cared for and showed their animals to the best of their ability. Buyers put thoughts of a dismal economy aside and paid top dollar for animals at the Junior Livestock Sale. Other critters won ribbons and champion titles. And young Trista Ostrom's prize-winning pair of massive French lop rabbits, Bridget and Asland, were supposed to go on to the state fair in Douglas in August. However, someone — either a prankster or someone with more sinister motives — stole the duo sometime over the weekend. Police suspect the same culprit who took the rabbits left several chicken cages open as well.After the investment of time, money and labor into the animals — not to mention the attachment formed after years of care — the theft is a slap in the face to the hard-working fair participants.The thief should be ashamed of him- or herself. Said culprit should see fit to right the wrong and return the rabbits, unharmed, to Ostrom.

Last week's fair was a perfect showcase for the bounty of Park County.

Adults and kids alike put their talents and hard work on display for all to see. Jelly jars, artwork, baked goods, crops and livestock all were evidence of a season's worth of toil.

Park County youth worked especially hard — putting in countless hours — to bring healthy, high-quality animals to the fair. Once at the fairgrounds, the same kids groomed, cared for and showed their animals to the best of their ability.

Buyers put thoughts of a dismal economy aside and paid top dollar for animals at the Junior Livestock Sale. Other critters won ribbons and champion titles. And young Trista Ostrom's prize-winning pair of massive French lop rabbits, Bridget and Asland, were supposed to go on to the state fair in Douglas in August.

However, someone — either a prankster or someone with more sinister motives — stole the duo sometime over the weekend. Police suspect the same culprit who took the rabbits left several chicken cages open as well.

After the investment of time, money and labor into the animals — not to mention the attachment formed after years of care — the theft is a slap in the face to the hard-working fair participants.

The thief should be ashamed of him- or herself. Said culprit should see fit to right the wrong and return the rabbits, unharmed, to Ostrom.