Coryell County holds annual fair and livestock show

By ETHAN PROVOST

Cove Leader-Press

Every year the Coryell County Youth Fair kicks into place with many students from around the county coming in to submit their 4-H and FFA entries.

This week, projects and livestock have been judged to see who will get top honors. 

Students brought in an abundance of livestock such as rabbits, pigs, poultry, goats, cattle, and horses. 

Students from Copperas Cove represented their clubs, to include Five Hills 4-H, Copperas Cove FFA, and the newly formed Muddy Boots 4-H out of House Creek Elementary.  

The students compete in age-based categories that range from intermediate, junior, and senior.

Many students came and showed off different creative projects, ranging from baked goods to photography and even metal work. 

Among them were the Muddy Boots 4-H club, based out of House Creek Elementary School. 

Cassie Ray is their group leader and talked about how excited the team was to compete this week. 

"This was the first year for almost all of the students so they were nervous and not sure what to expect. Almost all of the students went home with ribbons for both rabbits and home economics. All of them are eager to continue with rabbit projects and try new things for next year. We also have kids showing poultry and goats later in the week," she said.

The Home Economics items, after judging, were sold through the Country Store set up at the Gatesville Civic Center. Each type of item was divided by age division and then into further categories. Under Baked Goods, categories ranged from cakes, cookies, candy, breads and more.

If the students win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in their categories, then they receive a cash prize as well as a ribbon. 

Students who win Reserve Champion or Grand Champion will have the chance to go to the auction and have all types of individuals from all over the county bid on their items. 

The live auction will be held this Saturday, Jan. 14, at the Gatesville Civic Center located at 301 Veterans Memorial Dr.

Businesses, individuals and even groups like the Copperas Cove Buyers Club will be at the auction to bid on the items. 

The premium auction means that if someone bids on livestock, they don’t receive the animal itself, but the funds are instead a way to support the students. The money goes directly back to the students to support their efforts. The students in turn will often give the donor a gift basket. 

Many of the livestock entries also go on to compete at the state level where they can, in turn, receive more funds at those auctions.