A group of parents and livestock show enthusiasts have put together a special “Memory Maker” Muscatine County set of livestock shows to be held for three days beginning Tuesday, July 21 at the Muscatine County Fairgrounds in West Liberty.
After the Iowa State University 4-H Extension office in Muscatine announced in early June they would not be hosting live shows at the Muscatine County Fair, and the fair board announced a few weeks later they would not be hosting the 130-plus year old fair initially scheduled for July 15-19, the group put their heads together to come up with a plan for 4-H and FFA youngsters in the county who still wanted to take part in a live show.
“We want to make it fun and give kids the opportunity to participate in a local show,” said Devin Maxwell of rural Muscatine, one of the organizers of the event that will be held despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maxwell said he doesn’t deny there is “a little bit of stress” because of the pandemic, noting the group is climbing through “COVID hoops” including events to be held each night at the big refurbished cattle show barn on the south end of the fairgrounds, using CDC and Muscatine County Health Department regulations.
The livestock shows begin on Tuesday, July 21, with a hog competition, followed by the cattle show on Wednesday, July 22 and then the goat and sheep show on Thursday, July 23. All three shows begin with weigh-in from 3-5 p.m., with all shows starting at 6 p.m.
He said the evening shows were created to give parents an opportunity to work during the day, and then get their children and animals to the fairgrounds. He also said the evening shows should be a “cooler” time to show the animals.
Maxwell, who is heading up the hog show, is working with cattle representatives Monica and Ben Danner, as well as goat and sheep representatives Ashley Wiebe and Joe Burnett to make the show a reality. All are from the Muscatine area, Wiebe and Burnett involved in the Muscatine and Wilton school districts as FFA and superintendent of schools respectively. The Danners are major livestock producers and farmers in the county. “When we all got together, Monica Danner said ‘let’s just go with it,’ and that’s what happened,” Maxwell said.
The committee moved fast in making the show a reality, able to rent the facilities and noting everyone involved has show experience and know what they’re getting into — expecting about two-thirds of the regular 4-H and FFA students participating. Any youth in the county from ages 14-21 can participate and Maxwell promised all the profits from the show will go back to youth participants, along with prize belt buckles.
He said organizations like the Muscatine County Cattlemen’s Association and Muscatine County Farm Bureau have made donations toward the event, as well as many ag businesses and supportive families and individuals in the county. He said more than $12,000 had been raised as of midway through last week and new donations are coming in every day. “One hundred percent of the proceeds will go back into the pockets of local youth,” he said. “After all, we’re doing this for the kids.”
Organizers anticipate the show will attract about 50 head for each show except the goats, which typically are a smaller show. He anticipated about 30 youth participating each night.
Maxwell said they have been busy getting the word out on social media and contacting county 4-H Club and high school FFA leaders to attract youngsters to the show, but was quick to point out the event is not 4-H or FFA affiliated.
Maxwell said he has four boys of his own that show hogs and drove them 4.5 hours to Missouri for a recent show. He said a live show is impossible to duplicate virtually and says he wants to give his sons Ayvren, Kian, Colton and Logen, ages 7-14, a great experience.
He said like many youths in the county, they’ve worked hard during the pandemic feeding and caring for their animals and “deserve a live show.” He said it can’t replace the excitement of a real fair livestock show, but said officials will do their best to make the experience memorable for all participants.
Maxwell said the junior exhibitor show would include fourth grade students through high school seniors, as well as youths up to 21 years of age. Winners may qualify for the Southeast Iowa Final Drive. He said health and registration papers will be required and there is a small entry fee of $5.
He said the event would strictly follow and enforce state COVID-19 safety guidelines.
Anyone wishing for more information can contact Maxwell at 563-506-1556 or by e-mail at muscatinememorymaker@gmail.com.