By Kiley Sons
Finally Friday, which means we get to pack up everything we brought and take it home.
Friday was very hot and a very easy day for me. I received my 10-year award from 4-H. It was a nice tumbler with my name on it. There was also the parade of champions. If a 4-H’er won a champion banner with their project, they walked through the show arena with their animal and banner.
The most fun part of the night was Battle of the Barns. Each livestock barn competes against each other to accumulate points. It’s always a good way to end the fair week, and it includes all ages plus a lot of teamwork, too.
My mom and I packed all of our stuff in the back of the truck and loaded the sheep and goats. The girls were ready to go home.
Saturday is the day most 4-H livestock exhibitors wait for. This is auction day. This is the day that 4-H’ers will get a payout for all of their hard work.
Yes, it is very sad to let go of an animal they have worked with for many months. There are many tears seen around the barns. However, this is part of the process of making money back on the project.
I want to thank all of the buyers who came to support our 4-H program. I would like to personally thank Jackson County Farm Bureau for purchasing my pig. All of my auction money will go toward my school expenses.
It will be different next year as I won’t participate in these activities that have consumed my life for so many years. I wish the best of luck to all of the 4-H’ers who still have many years left, and don’t give up. Keep going and being the best because there is probably a little kid looking at you and wanting to be like you someday.
Everyone keeps asking if I will miss it. I say no, but I still have the state fair yet. Maybe next year when I am just a bystander and not an exhibitor, I will miss it then.
Kiley Sons of Dudleytown is a 2023 Seymour High School graduate. The 10-year 4-H’er was this year’s Jackson County Fair Diary writer for The Tribune.