June 13, 2008 03:26 pm
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Carman Williams
cwilliams@weatherforddemocrat.com
The Parker County Livestock Show has become a tradition, something most people only think about during the one week out of the year when rodeo fever races through Weatherford.
For members of the Parker County Livestock Improvement Association (PCLIA) and for the hundreds of children and teens who compete, the week of the livestock show is simply the culmination of months of work, patience and dedication.
“A lot of hours at home take place before these projects ever show up at the stock show,” said Scottie Duvall, president of the PCLIA. “A lot of kids learn more from these animals than people realize.”
Duvall said while the livestock show has become a Parker County icon, few people realize that preparations for the show last all year. Planning the next year’s show begins once the current show is over, as PCLIA members analyze the show’s success and look for ways to improve.
“Our goal is not to be satisfied,” Duvall said.
The PCLIA members aren’t the only ones preparing far in advance.
This year, more than 1,400 contestants are entered in the show, and each of them has spent long hours getting their animals or other projects ready.
“It’s hard work, but at the end, it pays off,” said Katlynn Flowers. Flowers, an 18-year-old from Poolville, is a member of the Future Farmers of America and has showed pigs and steers in livestock shows since she was is the fourth grade.
She said showing is not a matter of bringing in a family pet and expecting to win.
“You have to have responsibility,” she said, explaining the animals had to be worked with every day.
Ethan Ball agreed, but pointed out showing does have its advantages, too.
“I enjoy it,” he said. “It’s fun meeting new people and new experiences.”
The 16-year-old is a member of Spring Creek 4-H club. He started 4-H about 10 years ago, and said his family began showing animals when his brother brought home chickens from kindergarten.
This year, Ball is showing a heifer, steer, goat and lamb.
“I think I’ve got a good group of animals, but you can never tell ’til you get there. Different judges like different things,” he said.
The livestock show kicks off at 10 a.m. Monday. Categories include dairy and breeding heifers, market and breeding goats, market and breeding lambs, breeding swine and market hogs, market steers, breeding rabbits, crops and ag mechanics.
The Parade of Champions will be held Friday at 7:30 p.m., starting that night’s rodeo.
Anyone interested in buying a project can attend the Buyers’ Breakfast at 8 a.m. Saturday. The awards ceremony will follow the breakfast, and the sale auction begins at 10 a.m.
Individuals or businesses who want to support the livestock show have three options. They can either bid on an exhibit at the auction, pledge money to a pool that will be spread among all the contestants, or add on to a particular exhibit.
Buyers also have several options once they’ve made a purchase.
Local meat companies are available to process the meat, or buyers may choose to resell the animal at the floor price. Buyers may also donate the animal back to the child who showed it, or to a local charity group such as the Pythian Home.
Most of the money made at the auction goes back to the kids, who use it to cover their expenses and possibly invest in next year’s exhibit.
After all, it’s never too soon to start planning next year’s show.
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