Guadalupe county youth show
(Seguin) — The Guadalupe County Youth Livestock and Homemakers Show is still a go in 2021. Despite the global pandemic, youth show board members say they have come up with a plan that will allow hundreds of kids to show off their youth show projects this year.
The youth show was in limbo for a short time after the city of Seguin announced that it was shutting down city facilities for large gatherings. That meant the Guadalupe County Fairgrounds, which is part of the city’s Seguin Events Complex, would not have been available for the youth show this year.
Youth Show Secretary Debra Reiley says the board met last week and finalized its plan. The show will now primarily be set up in Marion.
“The County Church in Marion will be our main facility. That starts on Tuesday, January 19. Our rabbits, goats, poultry, steers and heifers, homemaking and industrial arts, (and) the lambs will all show at the Country Church in Marion,” said Reiley.
Kids showing pigs this year will have their own space. Reiley says that category has been moved to the La Vernia Chamber of Commerce grounds.
“We are going to use their facility to show the swine. The reason for that is because the pens and the wash racks and everything are there. So it’s just a better facility. It will be better for the kids,” said Reiley.
A third venue will be tapped for the auction, which is a huge part of the youth show experience each year. Reiley says they have secured the space to host the auction and they hope that bidders will come out and support the kids on Saturday, January 23.
“The auction will take place at the Rio Cibolo Ranch on that Saturday. Those details are still being, of course, worked out for the auction. But we do have facilities and everything is a go,” said Reiley.
Reiley says they have plans that will allow the show to continue, while also trying to keep the kids and their families safe during this pandemic.
“Everything is good. We have a plan in place. We are working on a COVID plan also, so that our exhibitors and families can be safe, and hopefully, social distance a little bit. It’s going to be different, but we are going to make it work. We need to let these kids show their animals. This might be the only show that they get to this year, with the way things are going. We are going to make it happen. It’s all about the kids,” Reiley.
Reiley says the board was committed to making sure that COVID-19 would not ruin this opportunity for the 4H and FFA kids that will be participating from all across the county. She says they just felt like they had to find a way to bring this together.
“It’s our 80th year. They were not going to let this go by (without an event). We’ve got a plan in place. Things are looking good. We’ve just got to finalize some details here and there. Our judges are ready to go, and they are finalized. It’s going to happen, and our kids are going to show their animals and they are going to get the opportunity to sell an animal. We are going to make it happen,” said Reiley.
Tuesday, January 19, 2021