Stock show campaign underway
By Kathy Thomson
The Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Association met last Tuesday, Dec. 10, to finalize plans for this year’s stock show, and with a large number of entries expected, the annual fundraising drive has begun.
“It looks like it will be bigger than ever this year,” said association president Bronco Askew. “I haven’t heard the exact numbers yet, but Chris (Beard) had a stack of entry cards that must have been around four inches high.”
Fundraising letters went out last week, and as of Tuesday, Dec. 17, funds of around $7,700 had come in, according to association treasurer Molly Cauble.
“We want to try to get in donations as quickly as possible,” said Askew. “Those we haven’t heard from by early January, we’ll call personally. That way we can figure out what we can add to the Bidder’s Pool.”
Askew expects that it will take around $18,000 or more to fund the 2020 Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Show, set for Jan. 24-25 at the local show barn.
“The stock show is the largest single extracurricular event our youth participate in,” said Askew. “It is important that the show receives the support of the community and surrounding area in order to remain successful.”
All donations go toward the expenses for ribbons, belt buckles, supplies and premium money for the show. Any excess funds will be distributed to all participants through the bidders pool.
“The 4-H and FFA animal projects which are exhibited at the livestock show play a vital role in developing responsibility, character, goal setting, time management skills, and animal husbandry,” Cauble said. “It also instills a sense of accomplishment for our youth.”
Members of the stock show association have been busy over the past few months with several projects to bring in cash for the annual event.
Fundraisers include the organization’s biggest money-maker, concessions and commissions from a fall club pig sale. In addition, ag students are selling raffle tickets for a shotgun and a processed hog.
Anyone interested in contributing to the 2020 show is encouraged to send donations to Shackelford County Youth & Livestock Association, Attn: Molly Cauble, PO Box 2439, Albany TX 76430.
All donations are tax deductible and should be made payable to the Shackelford County Youth and Livestock Show.
Changes In The Show
Askew also noted a couple of changes in this year’s show.
“Our schedule is different this year,” he said. “The rabbits and chickens will show on Saturday after the cattle. It’ll crowd us (getting ready for the sale) but we’re going to try and cut down on Thursday’s activities.”
Sheep, goats, and pigs will still weigh in on Thursday.
Friday’s show will see a couple of changes in classes.
“In addition to the purebred hog classes, we’ll also have a division for white crossbred pigs and for dark crossbreds,” Askew said. “And we’ve added a class for hair sheep. We have enough youth showing Dorper sheep to constitute a class.”
Another new item at the show this year will be a special time to acknowledge graduating seniors after the close of the show, before the sale begins.
