By Jackson Schneider
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Riley County Fair came and went this weekend without a hitch. 4-Hers from across the county brought in their projects that took up a considerable amount of time and effort over the last year, but the final night of the fair is a celebration of that hard work, and a reward as well.
"You know, I think those kids learn some work ethic. I think that they learn responsibility from it," said Lyle Shepard, a former 4H-er and lifetime advocate of the organization. "And you know, I think they learn some sacrifice. I think a lot of these kids sacrifice some of the other things that they may be interested in, but this is one of their top priorities, to make sure they do well."
The annual 4-H Livestock auction brings each kid's top project in front of a large crowd of former 4-Hers, friends and family who know the hard work and effort it takes to raise these animals, and most of which have an appreciation for those that supported them in the past as well.
"I definitely think it's a chance to give back," said Shepard with a grin. "I think a lot of the community, smaller businesses and stuff look forward to the auction every year because this is what the root of our community is. I mean, all these people come to Manhattan, come to the surrounding areas, spend time, money, and there's families that's been involved with the Riley County Fair since its existence, and I think it continues to grow every year."
Each child walking its animal through the auction ring knows this will be one of the final moments with not only a project, but a key part of their life, and according to Shepard, that's a tough lesson to learn. Stating you can't help to get attached to an animal when you work with it every day, but that the process is an important life lesson.
"It is, it's tough. It's tough to go through that process and spending that much time and effort with an animal, and knowing that the end result is going to be at the auction," said Shepard. "But I think it's life lessons that they learn and at the end with the premiums that they get, I know that is a bittersweet reward for a lot of these kids, but as time goes on I think it's a valuable lesson for them to learn."
Through each day of the fair, with each person interviewed and every event unfolding, one theme has continued to echo through the arena and the barns. Each and every individual involved was glad to be able to celebrate together. Following the COVID-19 pandemic's cancelation of the 2020 fair's in-person activities, both 4-Hers and supporters alike were more than elated to be able to be a part of it once again.
"I think that throughout the week I've heard that conversation several times," said Shepard. "We're glad to be able to get out here and to show and it kind of gets people back to a sense of normalcy, and I think that it has definitely helped to get the live auction going, and it's fun to see the looks on the kids' faces."
The full results of the 2021 Riley County 4-H Livestock Auction will be posted in the coming days.
