Sunday, as part of the Whitewater Fourth of July four-day weekend festival, a petting zoo and free camel rides were operating in Cravath Lakefront Park near the Cravath Lakefront Community Center.
The area provided shade as event-goers were greeted by myriad goats, sheep, llamas, and other creatures, many of which were eager to be fed treats, which were provided, for a nominal fee, by New Beginnings Ranch. The Wisconsin-based organization operates petting zoos, and pony and camel rides.
All were in operation at Cravath Lakefront Park on Sunday.
Also on hand Sunday were 2022 Miss Whitewater pageant winners all of whom were crowned Friday as part of the first night of the Fourth of July festival events.
Following are photos from the petting zoo.
Tabatha Cruz, owner of New Beginnings Ranch, Caledonia, guides 10-month-old Damian Centeno, Dodgeville, on his first pony ride. The Ranch aims at giving mostly rescued animals a second chance at life, Cruz said.
Dennis Fajardo experiences a camel ride. He expressed excitement at the end of the ride, noting that there are no camels in the Philippines, which, he said, is where he is from. The camel was led by Shayne Rigden.
Nicole Gzym, 7, Whitewater, makes friends with a sheep. The experience reminded her of a time when a sheep pushed her, she said.
Lidia Arellano, 4, Janesville, pets a sheep. She especially likes sheep, she said.
Cheryl Zoesch, Whitewater, greets a donkey while waiting for her daughter and granddaughter to return from the midway rides. If she ever had a farmette, she said, it would have to include donkeys.
Junior Miss Whitewater Jaylynn Traxler, seated, from left, and Little Miss Whitewater Haley Gutierrez prepare for a camel ride. Teen Miss Whitewater Lydia Bols, standing, from left, and Miss Whitewater Jordyn Damhorst arrive for inclusion in a photograph. The group of newly crowned pageant winners was touring the festival grounds Sunday. This year’s Miss Whitewater Pageant, held Friday, marked its tenth year. The pageant raised $17,751 which will be donated to Camp Victory, in Willard, Wis., pageant organizers noted earlier in a press release. Camp Victory provides a safe environment for veterans with PTSD and their families. The camp is a place where they can connect, discuss their experiences, and continue to heal from the effects of war, the earlier release stated. An earlier story about the pageant is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/miss-whitewater-pageant-registration-open-through-june-8/.
Junior Miss Whitewater Jaylynn Traxler, from left, and Little Miss Whitewater Haley Gutierrez ride a camel led by Shayne Rigden. Both Miss Whitewaters were crowned during a pageant held Friday at Cravath Lakefront Park.
Junior Miss Whitewater Jaylynn Traxler makes friends with a young calf.
Little Miss Whitewater Haley Gutierrez enjoys a pony ride.
Tom Ganser photos.
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