Fair director: Youth livestock auction will go on

The 2020 Grant County Fair may not be happening this year, but a group of dedicated folks has been working hard to make sure that Grant County youth have an opportunity for recognition of their hard work and to sell their animal.

Approximately 250 animals have registered for this year’s evaluation and sale, down by more than 50% from prior years, said the fairgrounds Director Jim McKiernan.

“We expected to be down as families looked for alternative ways to sell their animals,” McKiernan said. “But this is actually more animals than we were expecting.”

The process to have an evaluation and sale has been a lesson in persistence according to members of the Fair Livestock Committee and other local volunteers. The effort had support from folks who had direct connections to the governor’s office, including Alex McGregor, of the McGregor Company, Gary Chandler, from the Association of Washington Business and Heather Hansen, from the Washington State Fairs Association. State Legislator Tom Dent and State Senator Judy Warnick were also key in pushing the need for a Statewide plan along with staff from the Grant County Health District. With open communication and persistence the Livestock Committee put together a plan that was approved by the Governor’s Office.

“There were a lot of people going to bat for these kids and their animal projects,” said McKiernan. In this time of chaos it was great to see how focused this community can get to accomplish something like this,” he added. “I’m so grateful for the people we have involved in the fair’” said McKiernan.

The condensed version of the Livestock Evaluation and Sale will begin on Wednesday, Aug. 19 with animal load in. Thursday will be judging, and Friday will be an online auction through Yarbro Auctioneers’ website.

Once unloaded, animals will be penned in the barns and cared for by volunteers. Vet checks will be performed as the animals are unloaded and judging will be done in the barns. Videos and Facebook feeds will be posted to social media and the Fairgrounds website (gcfairgounds.com) so youth can hear and see what the judges are using for their findings.

The auction will be done online through Yarbro Auctioneers website https://www.yarbro.com/project/details/53324 using photos submitted of the animal by the exhibitor as well as weight and placing information.

The auction will open Thursday evening until 5 p.m. Friday with ending times staggered by species and youth. Bidders can monitor and bid on multiple animals at staggered times. A video tutorial of how to register and navigate the auction is also posted on the Yarbro website. Their crew will be available for questions at 509-765-6869.

“We also need to recognize that the Grant County Commissioners have been extremely supportive of this whole process,” McKiernan said. “Many fairs and staff have simply decided to not do anything in light of their financial position or resources. Grant County has never wavered in an effort to do something for youth and their animal projects. Our own Rebecca Martinez and Darci Armstrong were a key in the process of making this show and sale happen,” he added.