Animals from throughout King County strutted their stuff to compete for the Royal Critter Crown at last week's official opening of the King County Fair. An unnamed baby miniature donkey was chaperoned by his mother, Reggie the Alpaca politely held his spit and Angus the fat cat basked in the glow of attention lavished on him by adoring fans.

But, it was Phoenix the rooster who rose from the ashes of a 2003 barn fire to claim the Royal Critter title during opening ceremonies at the 2005 King County Fair.

Two years ago, Phoenix was the only survivor of a barn fire that killed 30 chickens and two horses. Scorched by the fire, Phoenix still bears some scars including a distinctive, warped beak. Now 5 years old, Phoenix enjoys life on the farm with his 18-year-old owner, Sondra Edwards of Enumclaw. He especially enjoys accompanying Edwards on horse rides, perched on the saddle horn.

The Royal Critter runner-up was Holly the Holland Lop rabbit, owned by Kirsten Petersen of Newcastle. Third place went to the unnamed miniature donkey and other critter contestants included two cats, a Patagonian Mara/Cavy, an alpaca and three dogs.

King County Councilmembers Larry Phillips, Larry Gossett, Steve Hammond, Regan Dunn, Kathy Lambert, Pete Von Reichbauer and Jane Hague helped judge the event.