Showing off at the livestock show

CUTLINE: Sabrina Gray, chairwoman for the Orange County Livestock Show Association, shows the banner buyers receive and the belt buckle students may earn at the livestock show that will run from October 12-13 at T2 Arena, 3810 Old Peveto Road in Orange. RECORD PHOTO: David Ball

David Ball

For The Record

Sabrina Gray, chairwoman for the Orange County Livestock Show Association, believes the annual livestock show is a win-win for everyone — the kids, the buyers and for the community.

On October 12^th and 13^th 2018 The Orange County Livestock Show Association will host a livestock show and auction for the FFA and 4H youth Orange County on Friday, October 12 and Saturday October 13. at T2 Arena, 3810 Old Peveto Road in Orange. These students are involved in either FFA at their schools or they are a member of a 4H chapter in Orange County. They will be showing their animals in hopes of placing their projects in the sale auction Saturday at 7 p.m. Saturday.

The event starts on Friday night with the following itinerary:

• • Rabbit and chicken shows at 6 p.m. on Friday
• • Hog show judging at 8 p.m. on Saturday followed by the goat and lamb shows
• • A prospect show of heifers from around the region will begin at noon
• • Buyers dinner 5 - 6:30 p.m.
• • Sale auction 7 p.m.

Area businesses and individuals to be buyers for these animals are invited to the live auction to be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

"Your generous participation supports agriculture and leaders for tomorrow. Buyers will be treated to a world class barbecue dinner hosted by the Go Texas Bar B Que teams and the OCLSA," Gray said. "We're dedicated to putting on the livestock show for our 4H and FFA students. Despite (Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey), we're more determined than ever to put on a good show. This is the only truly annual show we have to support 4H."

She said if it wasn't for this show, Orange County students would only be able to show at big events such as in Beaumont or in Houston. Orange County serves as a stepping stone for the majors.

Most of the public don't know what the students have to do with the commitment in raising the animals, according to Gray. She said the kids and families buy the animals in June, raise them through October, feed and water the animal, take it to the veterinarian and maintain and groom it before selling it.

"It's a learning tool for parents and kids," she said. "The students keep a workbook and it's definitely an education for them."

The money the students receive from the sale of their animal can either go toward another animal or save it and use the money on something particular their senior year of high school. Furthermore, Go Texas is a partner with the livestock show and they offer scholarships each year through the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

There is also an add-on fund in which a buyer can pay additional money to a student after the animal is sold. Most of the buyers are local and the students introduce themselves to the buyers, tell them about their animals and then lock on.

Ordinarily, the event is held at the Heritage Grounds at the Mauriceville Crawfish Festival, but it was moved to T2 Arena due to damage to the Heritage Grounds from Harvey. Chad Havens, owner of T2, invited to held the livestock show there.

"OCLSA is very thankful to Chad Havens of T2 Arena for inviting OCLSA to have the event at his arena. The facilities and barn in Mauriceville have not been repaired since Hurricane Harvey. The organization continues to re-build the facilities for future events there," Gray said.

Additionally, this year's livestock show is dedicated to longtime supporter, Constable David Cagle, who is recently departed.

"We couldn't do this without the support from the community and the buyers and sponsors," she said. "The purpose of the Orange County Live Stock Show Association shall be to provide and encourage leadership in the youth of Orange County through FFA and 4H Clubs as well as other organizations.

"The goal of the OCLSA is to build an old fashion county fair in conjunction with the livestock show. Simple contests such as baking, canning, best vegetable from garden, flower arranging and others are what we would like to bring to this fall festival. Even a sack race, pie eating contest would round out this event with a lot of fun. Come out and help us grow this fall festival and livestock show. We invite other clubs or groups to come out and see what we are about and may be you would like to participate next year."