Photo by Sam Yu Bill Routzahn, right, who is usually superintendent of the Frederick County Office of Highway Operations, takes time off during fair week to man 24-hour shifts in the birthing center at the fair. Here, Routzahn is shown with Rick Doub and some pregnant cows.

He constantly has to be aware of incoming weather such as snow, heavy downpours and ice.

This week he is waiting on a different aspect of Mother Nature to take effect.

Routzahn took a week off from his superintendent duties to volunteer at the birthing center at The Great Frederick Fair. He is alternating 24-hour shifts with volunteer Ricky Doub.

"This is my one week a year to be a farmer," Routzahn said. "I grew up on a farm until I was 9, and it stuck in my blood ever since."

The Myersville resident got back into farming several years ago when his son Matthew was involved in 4-H and showed cows. Matthew decided to volunteer at the center seven years ago and got his dad involved.

With local veterinarians donating their time, the birthing center has three holding pens and one birthing pen for cows and pigs. While a cow's pregnancy, like a human's, lasts nine months, a pig is pregnant for about 114 to 117 days.

The center gets pretty crowded during a birth, and Routzahn sees many people who come back year after year.

"I've seen it all," he said. "All kinds of expressions."

One of the most memorable experiences he had volunteering came two years ago. Two pigs had sets of piglets and four cows had calves, but the births came one right after another. As one birth would occur, another expectant mother would go into active labor.

"It all happened at one time," he said.

Routzahn spends his daylong shift tending to the animals by making sure they have food and water and cleaning up after them. He also answers questions from curious onlookers.

"You relax when you can," he said.

Because some births come at night, he stays at the fairgrounds all night and sleeps in his truck or on straw bales.

"(Last) Saturday night, it was cold," he said.

So does Routzahn need a vacation from his vacation?

"I'm tired, but it's really worth it for me," he said. "I get excited every year I know the fair is coming."