August 10, 2021 |
The theme for this year’s Carbon County Fair and Rodeo was “Raising the Steaks.” And did it ever. From what one sponsor said was an “unbelievable” Junior Livestock Sale, where more than a half-million dollars in 4-H animals were auctioned, to a sold out Demolition Derby, the stakes couldn’t get any higher.
The livestock sale stole hearts. The derby, the traditional show closer, played out in typical crunch and grind fashion to a sold-out crowd. Julie Webb is the Administrative Assistant for the Fair Board. Webb described the scene in the grandstands Saturday afternoon.
A new online ticket portal with scanners at the gate worked smoothly. Webb said 1,525 tickets sold to this year’s derby. While the sound of crashing cars and the smell of burning rubber traditionally close out the fair, 4-H, FFA projects and Western living take center stage during the week.
For the young participants, a year’s worth of hard work comes down to the few minutes spent in the show ring. This year saw 162 4-H and FFA contestants bringing 1,131 entries. According the fair report released Monday, open class entries totaled 632. With some kids aging out last year and new crop competing for their first time, Webb summarized the field.
The non-animal static exhibits were up, with 204 entries.
The Junior Livestock Sale is never for the faint of heart, whether you’re buyer or a seller. This year was no different. A grand champion market steer sold for a premium price of more than $20 a pound. The auctioneers were all locals who donated their time. Jimmy Hinkle did the steers. Lew Waldron out of Baggs called the bidding on the lambs. Cody Waldrip of Rawlins was on the microphone for the swine and goats.
Waldrip was quick to give credit to the ring-men, J. Straton, Travis Blaylock and Shaun Corson. The ring men work the crowd, communicate with the auctioneer and spur the bidders to dig a little deeper and bid a little higher.
Waldrop is no stranger to Junior Livestock Sale. He was selling pigs when he was a youngster. On Friday, Waldrip was back in the ring. This time, he was the auctioneer enjoying his roots.
During Friday’s auction, one swine sold for over $11,000. Another pig brought in over $21,000 as a community known for tough-as-nail hands revealed a big, tender heart as it surrounded one contestant with love and support. Ella Humphrey’s mom, Heather, had just lost a long battle with debilitating illness. Ella, a trooper, was in the ring working the pig.
The pig was bought and donated back by multiple bidders, each time raising the value. Waldrip described how the community came together to make the sale memorable.
Not all the lessons learned during fair week are for the kids, Julie Webb said yesterday. What happened Friday was a lesson that will stick with a lot of people — young and old — for long time. Webb said the generosity on display in the sale barn didn’t end with final bid.
Webb and the fair board are getting ready for next year already, not knowing how they can raise the stakes any higher.
Pictured above: Competitors at the Carbon County Fair. Photo by Cali O’Hare/Bigfoot 99.
