Young exhibitors power livestock tradition at SEMO District Fair
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — Livestock barns remain a major draw at the SEMO District Fair, but young exhibitors say the work behind the animals starts long before fairgoers arrive.
For Cassidy Davis, who is in her third year of showing sheep, much of that work centers on keeping the animals comfortable and ready for the ring.
“I don’t think people see how much work we put into keeping these animals safe and cool, especially when it’s hot outside,” Davis said. “We try our best to keep them as calm and cool as possible, just so kids can be happy and see them and pet them.”
The responsibility continues throughout fair week, from feeding and cleaning to preparing animals for competition.
Miley Statler has been showing livestock for seven years and is showing meat goats this year. She said preparation starts before she even arrives at the fairgrounds.
“You just load up the goats, you get everything ready kind of the night before and stuff,” Statler said. “Get here. You hurry up and unload and then relax the rest of the day.”
While fairgoers may only see the animals once they are settled into the barns, Statler said much of the work happens out of sight.
“I hope they see the hard work and dedication, and I hope that they want to maybe do it themselves,” she said.
For Davis, introducing younger fairgoers to livestock showing is part of what makes the experience important.
“I always hope that older people enjoy seeing kids are still out here doing this, because this was a big thing a few years back,” Davis said. “And I really hope kids get more into it because this is an amazing time, an amazing place to start.”
For families walking through the barns, seeing and interacting with the animals may only take a few minutes. For the exhibitors, those moments come after hours of preparation and care.
Davis and Statler say they hope that work helps keep livestock showing — and the fair tradition surrounding it — going for another generation.
