I can feel fall and with it comes big things from our office and the Exchange Club of Augusta because we are getting ready for the 102nd edition of the Georgia-Carolina State Fair.
I am lucky enough to be a part of this annual fair by being on the Livestock Committee. Youth from ages pre-K to seniors in high school come from all over the Southeast to participate in the fun.
The shows consist of five categories of livestock animals, beef cattle, dairy cows, pigs, sheep and goats. These kids (and animals) that come to Augusta for the week are amazing to watch.
So how does a livestock show work? It is quite the exhibition.
The Exchange Club has a large livestock barn with an entrance
across from Magnolia Cemetery on Third Street in downtown Augusta. A day or two before their show, contestants trailer their animals to the fairgrounds, unload and bring them to the barn. A Georgia Department of Agriculture agent will check the animal’s health records and physically examine them.
When given the OK to enter the barn, the kids bring their show animals to their assigned location in the barn for anyone attending the fair to see. They set up their camp with feed, grooming supplies, halters, fans, chairs and start getting ready for the big event.
The shows are divided up into two basic types: Showmanship entails showing how good of a handler the youth. The other is Best of Show, which is all about the animal.
Showmanship is broken down into various age groups and is a blast to watch. Each contestant dresses nicely and introduces their animal into the show ring making sure they always maintain eye contact with the judge. The handler of the animals is supposed to maintain control of the livestock and be ready to have their walking direction changed at the nod of the judge. The judge may also stop each participant and ask some questions about the animal like date of birth, weight or mother’s name.
Winning the Showmanship event is what seems to drive these young handlers. The winner’s prize is a giant belt buckle, which is usually put on their belt immediately, a ribbon and some spending money.
The other part of the livestock show is the actual showing off the animal itself. The animals are usually divided up by categories like age, breed and weight. When these show animals are presented, the judges look for the structure of the animal’s body, straightness of their back, muscle tone, gait and general appearance relative to age. Ribbons and money are awarded for the best of category. And even more for Best of Show and Grand Champion.
These kids work hard to raise, feed, groom, vet and train these best of the best animals for our annual show. Make a trip down to check out the Livestock Shows and the rest of the fun the Georgia-Carolina State Fair has to offer. You won’t be disappointed. Advanced tickets are available at GeorgiaCarolinaStateFair.com.
State fair dates to remember
- Beef Cattle Show is Saturday, Oct.17, at 2 p.m.
- Swine Show is Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 2 p.m.
- Sheep Show is Thursday, Oct. 22, at 3 p.m.
- Goat Show is Friday, Oct. 23, at 3 p.m.
- Dairy Show is Saturday, Oct. 24, at 2 p.m.
Augusta is getting some Southern Exposure
Another fun fall event is happening at the Morris Museum of Art on Oct. 14, 1-5 p.m., and Oct. 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sand Hills Garden Club is hosting Southern Exposure, a Garden Club of America Flower Show. The show features floral interpretations of museum paintings, a display of judged local and regional horticulture, nature photography exhibit and conservation display.
The purpose of the flower show is to set standards of artistic and horticultural excellence; to broaden the knowledge of horticulture, floral design, conservation, photography and other related areas; and to share the beauty of a show with fellow club members and the public.
Founded in 1913, the Garden Club of America was built on the determination to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening; to share the advantage of association by means of educational meetings, conferences and publications; and to restore, improve and protect the quality of the environment through educational programs and action in the fields of conservation and civic improvement.
The host of this event is the Sand Hills Garden Club which was established in 1927 and accepted into The Garden Club of America in 1929.
For more information and to purchase tickets to the Opening Cocktail Reception at the Morris on Oct. 15, from 6-7:30 p.m., visit sandhillsgardenclub.org. All other show events are free of charge and open to the public.
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This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Georgia-Carolina fair livestock shows spotlight youth skills | Exclusive
