Event wraps up with Saturday auction plus community dance

(Seguin) — The barns remain busy and the competition remains strong as the 2026 Guadalupe County Youth Livestock and Homemakers Show moves into its final and most anticipated days. This year’s competition will come to a close Saturday with the annual noon auction and evening dance.

During these final days, community members are encouraged to attend, support exhibitors, and/or participate in the auction or through contributing add-ons to specific projects to help offset significant costs to a student’s project.

Dustin Morgenroth, chairman of the board of directors for the Guadalupe County Youth Livestock and Homemakers Show, says the quality of projects in Guadalupe County makes supporting the kids easy.

That’s because he says the show continues to stand out as one of the most competitive in Texas, showcasing the dedication and quality of work put in by hundreds of local youth involved in FFA and 4-H programs.

“These projects are good because it teaches the kids a lot about responsibility and accountability. Typically, you usually see a correlation of those kids that run with that and understand that and spend the most time with their projects. They are typically the ones that do a little better with their projects because you can see it in the quality of their project, the quality of their animals. They put their efforts into it and so I think it’s a big lesson that these kids learn. You have to put the time and effort into it to do well in our county because it’s a pretty tough show across the board really in all animal projects. It’s one of the tougher counties around. It’s a harder level of competition for sure,” said Morgenroth.

Morgenroth says the community should be proud of the youth show and the interest that it draws.

“Myself personally, I actually judge poultry shows. I was poultry science major at Texas A&M and I’ve been judging shows since 1992 and I have been around stock shows my whole life and I can tell you that the level of quality that we actually have here in many of our species, we are considered one of the top counties in the state of Texas as far as the level of competition in our steers – I know our hogs – and our poultry for sure. We are well represented. When you go to San Antonio, Austin or Houston Stock Shows, Guadalupe County is typically very well represented in the auctions and champion drives and things like that so it’s something we take a lot of pride in because we’ve got a community here that takes the time and effort to raise these projects with those types of standards. It says a lot. I think that’s what we are all really proud of,” said Morgenroth.

While enthusiasm remains high, this weekend’s schedule comes with a weather challenge. Freezing temperatures and the potential for freezing rain are expected across the area. Organizers, however, say the show will continue as planned.

Despite the forecast, preparations are already underway to ensure both exhibitors and animals remain safe and comfortable. Additional warming areas are being created inside the dance slab, and staff and volunteers are monitoring conditions closely.

The public is also invited to utilize live streaming options available through the youth show’s website. Organizers say supporters can still watch projects, follow the auction, and contribute through add-ons or donations remotely.

Buyer registration remains open, and organizers stress that participation at any level — whether through bidding, add-ons, or donations to the general fund – “makes a meaningful impact for local youth.” They say they are especially relying on add-ons for the hope of finally surpassing the $2 million mark – a mark missed last year by just $12,000. Community members can find live stream links, buyer registration, and donation information at gcys.org.

Wrapping up the weeklong events will again be the annual Youth Show Dance being held Saturday night at the Columbus Club of Seguin Hall (K.C. Hall). The dance will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight and will feature music by Clint Taft & the Buckwild Band. The dance is open to the public with all ages welcome. Cost is $15 at the door.