By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Every member of the Deselem family of Clark County is retired – from the Clark County Fair calf scramble, that is.

When it comes to the calf scramble at most county fairs in Ohio, it is a one-and-done event: Once you corral a calf in this event, you are no longer eligible to compete in the event ever again. For the Deselems, the calf scramble has crossed three generations.
And they’re all proud to say they’re retired. “You cannot believe what it takes to get a calf to the ground and hold on to it,” said Steve Deselem, who nabbed his calf in 1975 and began showing the animals in 1976.

Steve’s two sons, Ethan and Baylor, followed in his footsteps, capturing their animals in competition in 2006 and 2010, respectively. Both began showing calves the following years. The boys’ uncle, Karl, nabbed his calf in 1995.

Steve recalls when his father started this family tradition at the Clark County Fair in 1937. His father first settled on a farm in the Springfield area in 1941. Finances prevented him and his wife from doing anything else but attending the annual Clark County Fair.
Steve and his wife, Pam, were members of Livestock Unlimited, one of the oldest 4-H clubs in the county. In addition to raising beef cattle, the couple tend to hay on their farm, which is just a few miles from the Clark County Fairgrounds.

Steve believes his strength and size were assets during his days in the arena with the calves. Baylor feels he had an advantage over his dad, brother and uncle because he wrestled in high school. Baylor competed in the 135-pound class through high school.
“Mom told me my wrestling would come in handy, and it did,” said Baylor, who corralled his calf on his second attempt last season. “Trying to take a 368-pound calf down was like a guy my size competing against a heavyweight wrestler.”

There were no Deselems represented at this year’s Clark County Fair calf scramble, though they all attended the Friday night event just the same. Action took place on the main track in front of the grandstands. Participants outnumbered the calves by 2-to-1.
When the gates opened and the calves were set free, the competitors gave chase. Once a competitor grabbed a calf other participants could only stand by and watch, hoping the animal would break free to give them a chance.

Competitors with a calf then had to bulldog the animal to the ground, halter the calf and lead it to a 12-foot circle in the center of the main track to lay claim to the animal.

“They don’t put any substance on the animals like they do in a greased watermelon contest, but they do work the calves up a little bit before they’re released,” Steve said.

“This is such a tradition here in this county,” Baylor said. “There are so many people competing in this event here at the fair that it’s ridiculous.”

The calf scramble tradition won’t continue until Ethan and Baylor have kids of their own.

“It’s an emotional experience for me to work with my children through all their (4-H and FFA) projects,” Steve said. “Basically, kids want something to do and you’ll either give them something to do or they’ll find something to do. The trouble with kids nowadays is they have too much free time.”