By Allen Hamrick
It was time once again for the annual Clay County Agriculture Youth Fair and time to fill the nostrils with the fresh tantalizing barnyard scent.
The animal count seemed to be down this year except for the swine line, and it was indeed difficult to pick a winner in this line up. It would prove to be a tough competition between the animals being exhibited. It was hot, and I mean hot. There were enough fans to create a wind tunnel, but the animals had to stay cool.
The flood put a damper on things a little, and attendance was also down, but the auction was held as the youth paraded their animals in the corral for the expectant buyers. It was time for the youth to understand the meaning of hard work and to see that it pays off. A big thanks goes out to those who bid and made it possible.
All in all it was a good show, and as we walk away from the event with good memories and some with pockets of money, let’s not fail to appreciate those that will eventually be forgotten – the animals. Without these laudable figures that stand in the fields and pens, who brave the elements day after day, this event would not take place.
Also, 4-H groups had exhibits that the youth had put together, birdhouses and projects they had put together in hopes they would be featured at the State Fair of West Virginia. If you were lucky enough to get a plate full of the free barbecue you would know that your choppers were tasting the best in the country. Master barbecue expert Brian Gould and other culinary experts put on a spread like no other. Forget the reality cooking shows, we have the best in this county. Gould, who lost all in the flood, donated his time to make the Agriculture Fair the place to be for food.
Colten Pritt won the Grand Champion market hog division. Ethan Morris won the Grand Champion lamb division. Lillie Triplett won the Grand Champion market rabbit division. Isaiah Kieffer took Grand Champion in the pigmy goat division. Richard Triplett won the Grand Champion dual purpose chicken division. Eric Keiffer won the Grand Champion meat chicken.
There are youth of this county who still hold true the ideals of farm life, and have a desire for this way of life to continue, did a great job of raising some of the most superb farm animals I have seen. This year’s queen was Kassidy Dawson. The ones who were at the helm of the Agriculture Fair also did a fine job of putting it together. It is good that we still have people who care in this county.
