Early on the second Saturday of the fair, many annual fair attenders come out to the Arkansas State Fair's Susan G. Komen “Hopping For a Cure” Breast Cancer Fundraiser Rabbit Show. The show helps raise money and awareness through creative and fun ways, involving children and their rabbits.

The show got its start when the “Race for a Cure” began, and it was right in the middle of the Arkansas State Fair. The time of the state fair is very hectic, so for obvious reasons, many of the people at the fair did not get to go.

Brenda Fowler, rabbit superintendent at the Arkansas State Fair, wanted to go but was too busy. So she talked to some people and they got together some ideas for having an event at the fairgrounds to help support the Susan G. Komen foundation. They talked to the board of directors and got together a plan.

Brenda says, “We tried to get something that everyone at the State Fair could do, that would also get the public involved.” The board finally decided to have a rabbit show, so that it could raise money and promote awareness.

Once the board got this rabbit show up and running, it grew to involve the State Fair Jr. Ambassadors. These are kids who work around the fairgrounds and help out to earn hours, which can win them belt buckles, scholarships, and all kinds of other prizes. These kids helped bring in some new activities to the show and new ways to fund raise.

Abby Sanders, a rabbit showman and Jr. Ambassador from Oark, Ark., says, “We did pink feather hair extensions with donations going to Susan G. Komen and we also made pink donation buckets that were very creative.” Some other things that go on besides just the show are a pink parade through the midway, t-shirt sales, and donations.

During the show, contest leaders give out pink ribbons, have cutest bunny contests, and pet classes. So this show can include everyone, a person does not have to be in 4-H or FFA to show, he or she does not have to have certain breeds, or be a certain age to show. Everyone is invited to come and watch and help promote breast cancer awareness.

Sanders says the show is a great way to get the word out there about breast cancer and raise money to fund research. “It helps get younger people involved,” says Sanders.

A shocking fact that Fowler stated was that, “...most of the money that is raised in Arkansas and given to the Susan G. Komen foundation is used right here in Arkansas. The money goes to research labs here in Arkansas that are trying to find a cure for breast cancer.”

The “Hopping for a Cure” rabbit show has grown since it was started back in 2010. The first year the show was held, it raised $1500 that got donated to the Susan G. Komen foundation. Last year in 2011, the show grew and donated a little more than $1800.

Brenda hopes to see the show go onto become a themed day for the fair. “The fair has themed days, and we are hoping that the board of directors will approve a pink day at the fair,” says Fowler.

Lisa Nubbie, the parent of a participant, says, “I would like to see the show grow in the future and have pink shows across Arkansas and maybe even other states to help raise awareness and money for the cause.”

All in all, the Arkansas State Fair's Susan G. Komen “Hopping For a Cure” Breast Cancer Fundraiser Rabbit Show, is a great opportunity that is growing and helping more and more people every year. It is a wonderful place to come and have fun, while helping a cause. Everyone is invited to come and have fun. Fowler, Sanders, Nubbie and all the others cannot wait to see year’s past and new attenders this year.