Arkansas State Fair: Petting Zoo
By: Suzanne Burnette, KARK 4 News Web Editor
Updated: October 18, 2011
You'll find it just steps away from the front gate entrance in a white tent right across from the Quadzilla kids ride.
When you step inside, you could be greeted by one of the zoo's friendly little pygmy goats who frequently escape their confinement and munch hay from the other stalls.
Corralling them back where they belong will be Wally Zerebko, or daughter Megan, who are quick to tell you the four-legged members of their little menagerie are just like family.
On the road for months at a time, they travel from one fair to the next all over the country. Before coming to the Arkansas State Fair, the Zerebko's had been in Louisiana. They've been in the petting zoo business since 1996 and boast of being 5th generation cattle ranchers.
What you'll find under their tent ranges from the simple farm animal variety pony, goat and pig, to the more exotic.
You'll find a couple of tortoises from Madagascar who are not shy about walking up to you, a camel named Obie (who was napping during our visit), a llama, a zebra and a Bennett's wallaby that's native to Tasmania.
There's also a variety of miniature cattle and goats, including pygmy goats and fainting goats.
Located next to many of the stalls are animal feed machines that will give you a handful of treats to entice them to your hand so you can pet them.

