(Seguin) – The 81st Guadalupe County Youth Livestock and Homemakers Show is officially underway. Students from across the county will be putting their yearlong projects to the test these next few days.
Debra Reiley, one of the coordinators for the annual show, says all projects will be returning to last year’s facilities which include the Marion Country Church Youth Center and the La Vernia Chamber of Commerce grounds. She says last year, the group was forced to relocate from the Guadalupe County Fairgrounds after the city closed its facilities due to the pandemic.
“We will again be spreading the show out from Tuesday to Friday just to help not have such big crowds and have as many people around especially now that COVID numbers are up again. We are going to be out at the Marion County Church again. The majority of the show will be out there. Only the swine or pig show will be held at the La Vernia Chamber of Commerce and then on Saturday for the auction, we will be back down there at the Seguin Events Center at the dance slab,” said Reiley.
Reiley says what has made this year’s show even more exciting to put together is the number of participants.
“We have 1,447 entries this year which that’s 515 exhibitors, but we have over 1,400 entries so that’s exciting because our entries are up this year,” said Reiley.
Reiley says animals and projects will be arriving all day today in hopes of snagging the grand prize in this year’s contest. She says not only are they looking for a ribbon, but they are also looking to draw in a large cash prize/scholarship during this Saturday’s premium live auction.
“Oh my gosh, these kids work so hard. You know a lot of these exhibitors, they get, especially our large exhibitors, they (got) their animal projects back in March of last year. So, they’ve been spending a whole entire year working with these animals and feeding the animals and just making sure they are being taken care of and so, it’s been a long year. So, last year, they didn’t even know what the future was going to look like because who knew what was going to happen especially with the pandemic. So, to know that they are finally getting a chance to show off these projects and get a chance to see their hard work be paid off – I know they are just as excited,” said Reiley.
Reiley says the youth show consist of an elite core of students representing schools and 4H programs from all corners of the county including the Seguin ISD, Marion ISD, Navarro ISD and Cibolo, Schertz, New Berlin and Santa Clara areas.
“These are some of the hardest working youth in our county,” said Reiley. “These are kiddos that are not only in 4H or FFA but they play athletics. They are in all just kinds of things at their schools. They are probably in UIL, in the band, there’s cheerleading – I know some of our cheerleaders who left this weekend for a UIL competition and will be back to show on Tuesday, so they are busiest kids. Their families are so involved. My family and I are still involved because it is a family involved (show). Our kids showed when they were in high school. Mine are in their 30s now so we continue to give back to the community because these are hardworking youth, and our agriculture is very important, and people need to realize the opportunity that these kids get just by participating in it. There are not enough words for it,” said Reiley.
Whether as an individual, a group of friends or as a business, Reiley ask that everyone play a part in this year’s youth show auction. Those interested are asked to visit gcys.org and click on the new buyer registration tab made easy thanks to a newly designed youth show website. All others are asked to contact Reiley directly at 830-305-0456.