Karen Gleason
The 2021 Val Verde County 4-H Livestock Show has been set for Dec. 19 and 20 at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds.
The livestock show won’t be open to the public due to venue capacities necessitated by COVID-19 mitigation guidelines, Val Verde County Extension Agent Emily Grant said.
Grant also said there will be no in-person auction at the close of the show.
The 72 youth exhibitors participating will still get a chance to show off their rabbits, sheep and goats to judges and to put those prize animals up for sale.
“The number of exhibitors is down slightly from the last show, but it’s not a drastic change. I’m very pleased at the amount of participation, given the circumstances,” Grant said.
“We had to make a change in the number of people allowed in the venue, so we handed out wristbands for our exhibitors and their family members. Everyone entering the arena will be screened and required to wear a face covering. We will also make every attempt to observe physical distancing guidelines,” she added.
The 4-H club will also host its annual barbecue plate sale, Grant said, but Val Verde County residents who want to eat must order in advance and pick up their lunches outside the 4-H barns at the fairgrounds.
The barbecue lunch, which features a variety of meats as well as the famed 4-H hominy, is $8 a plate and can be ordered by calling the 4-H office at 830-774-7591. Proceeds benefit the local 4-H club and its activities.
“We will not be having our live auction, which is the busiest and most crowded event during the livestock show. We are asking our traditional buyers and anyone else who’d like to buy an animal to support our young people and 4-H to call our office at 830-774-7591 to make arrangements for a purchase,” Grant said.
Buyers and donors can also mail a check to the Val Verde County 4-H at 300 E. 17th St., Del Rio, Texas.
“We want the livestock show to be a great display of how we can provide opportunities for our youth and still stay safe at the same time. We have been dealing with COVID-19 throughout the summer, and feel we have been very fortunate so far.
“There have been so many disappointments for our young people this year, and for them to have so many opportunities through 4-H is a really wonderful thing. I’m very excited and hopeful that working with our local officials, we can host a livestock show for our youngsters and do so safely, not only for them, but for their families and our community,” Grant said.
