The annual Taber and District 4-H Show and Sale will have a new twist this year.
For the first time ever, all the district 4-H clubs are coming together to showcase their yearly achievements. The 4-H Crazy Crafters, horse club and the Hays photo club will all be showcasing their year-long projects at the show and sale.
“They all have their achievement days too, so they’re just going to be showcasing stuff here,” said Merrill Harris, one of the organizers of the show and sale.
Saturday’s sale will also have an added attraction. Just before the big-ticket steers are sold off, the local 4-H sheep sale will take place, an event usually designated for a separate weekend.
“They’ve only got 17 sheep to show, and within an hour they will be done, so we thought we could squeeze them in,” said Harris.
Sheep will hit the ring at 2 p.m. on Saturday, and the steers will follow. Sheep will be shown Saturday at 9 a.m.
But everything will get going Friday bright and early, as clubs will begin to arrive at the Taber Agri-Plex by about 8 a.m. The Taber, Bon Ayr, Grassy Lake, Retlaw and Hays clubs will be represented. Club members will keep busy all morning, as the steers will be groomed and cleaned in preparation for the 1 p.m. show.
For the 4-H members, the show and sale is a culmination of a long year with their animals, which began nearly eight months ago.
“The kids started probably back in October or the first of November,” said Harris, who added the official weigh-in day was Nov. 15 for the steers. “They feed, train and groom their steers, getting them ready to show.”
The youngest 4-H members are nine years old, which can lead to some challenges in the show ring, while the most senior members of the clubs are typically around 18.
But no matter how young or old the 4-H members are, the steers they show typically are sold for quite a premium. Harris added he hopes community members will come out again this Saturday, and get the bidding going for the steers.
“We appreciate those that come out and support the kids,” said Harris.