The tragedy struck as a growing number of participants and vendors were preparing for Friday morning's opening of the Kenai Peninsula State Fair. Martin had tied a rope around his waist and was attempting to lead the family milk cow when the cow bolted. He became entangled in the rope and was trampled by the animal.

Martin was the son of Blair and Ronna Martin of Soldotna. His grandparents are Carrol and JoAnne Martin, also of Soldotna, and John and Delores Lindeman of Ninilchik. The families are well known for their long-standing involvement with the fair, peninsula rodeo events and 4H.

Blair Martin was one of the first on the scene, helping subdue the cow and cut the rope so CPR could be given to his son.

Numerous 911 calls were immediately placed as those on the fairgrounds rushed to offer assistance, according to Fair Manager Lara McGinnis. Ninilchik Emergency Services responded, as did LifeMed Alaska, who dispatched an air ambulance from Soldotna to Ninilchik and flew Martin to Providence Hospital.

The injuries Martin sustained were such that his death probably occurred within seconds of being drug, Blair Martin told the Homer News Saturday.

"All our efforts, in hindsight, were futile," he said, adding that the family has given permission for Martin's heart valves and corneas to be harvested.

As news of Martin's death spread, a somber atmosphere settled over the fair. Organizers, as well as fairgoers, drew together in a show of support for the family.

"Tomorrow during the Junior Market Livestock Auction, we will be auctioning off (Martin's) animals, as well as the animals of his siblings," McGinnis wrote in a notice distributed at the fair late Friday. "For those of you who would like to help support the family, you can do what is called an 'add-on.'"

The add-ons were dollar amounts added to the winning bid and donated to the Martin family.

Saturday, the 41 animals auctioned -- including Martin's chickens and a 1,126-pound steer raised by his sister, D. Anne Martin -- and the add-ons raised thousands of dollars, according to Heidi Chay, spokesperson for the auction. Martin's chickens drew more than $5,000. The last animal to be auctioned, a turkey raised and donated by Megan Hansen, drew more than $2,300.

Messages to the family were written throughout the day on sheets of poster board beneath a picture of young Martin and his chickens. Some were elaborate, remembering times shared. Some were simply a name added to the many others covering the sheets.

Others were as simple and heartfelt as the brief message from Taylor Shelden: "We miss you Mattie."

McGinnis said a future fundraiser for the family is being planned.

"Vendors are bringing things left and right. People are offering to help. The generosity and outpouring of love from the fair family and this community has been amazing," she said.

Blair was to begin fourth grade at Kalifornsky Beach Elementary School on Monday. He had completed third grade there last year, his first year in public school. He was homeschooled prior to that, his father said.

Support from family and friends, as well as their faith, were keeping the Martin family strong in the wake of Friday's tragedy.

"God's grace is sufficient for anything (we) need," Blair Martin said. "The people that have surrounded us and propped us up, we have no need unmet. The needs are met before we realize them."

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky.@homernews.com.