WAPAKONETA, Ohio (WLIO) — Fast-paced bidding and enthusiastic supporters filled the sale ring Friday morning as businesses and community members backed young exhibitors during the Auglaize County Junior Fair livestock sale.
The annual sale gives junior fair participants the opportunity to showcase the livestock projects they have spent months raising and caring for while earning money for their hard work.
“It's kind of like suspenseful because you don't know how much money you're going to get. And especially if you're a child, you don't really understand what they're saying. Sometimes it's a little nerve-wracking too that it might stop and it might not go up anymore and you might get like $500,” says Owen Ryder, going through his third sale.
The annual sale gives junior fair participants the opportunity to showcase the livestock projects they have spent months raising and caring for.
Laci Meckstroth, who is showing cattle for the eighth year, said she focuses on presenting her steer rather than the activity around the auction ring.
“It's honestly, I don't focus too much on the surroundings. I just focus on me and my steer and just doing the best we can because this is the only time I can get to just show off me and my steer alone. So I just want to make sure that my steer looks as good as it can be,” says Laci Meckstroth.
The sale also brings mixed emotions for exhibitors. While some projects return home with their owners, market animals are sold and later processed for consumers.
“Some people are sad and some people are like happy because they're showing all their hard work and proud of everyone not trying to compete and stuff. I'm glad that people actually come out and watch us and support us through all this,” says Lily Meckstroth, in her sixth year showing cattle.
Participants said they appreciate the generosity of buyers who support local youth and agriculture.
“I'm not going to get all the money. I'm also going to share it with some of the people that helped me because without them I couldn't have done it,” says Beckham Place, who showed cattle at the Auglaize County Fair.
“It's really thoughtful that everyone's giving you money when they don't get anything in return except for advertisements and they're just giving you money for your work,” adds Ryder.
For many exhibitors, the livestock sale marked the conclusion of a memorable week at the fair.
“A couple of days ago I went on the rides. Those were pretty fun. Showing was showing was pretty fun. My rat got best of its breed. My cow got third overall. So it was pretty fun,” says Gruisten Place, who showed cattle and rabbits.
The Auglaize County Fair and the Junior Fair livestock sale conclude on Saturday.
