LAKEPORT – It just wouldn't be the Lake County Fair without a barn full of livestock raised by local youth, shown Thursday and Friday in fierce competition to see who has raised the best lamb, hog or steer, and then sold to the rhythmic patter of the auctioneers and the roar of the crowd on a warm Saturday afternoon.
The auction is sponsored by Umpqua Bank, which provides immediate payment to the youthful sellers, then collects from the buyers in the days just following the sale.
The annual Junior Livestock auction kicks off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5, and is expected to offer around 230 lots of prize winning livestock, poultry, and rabbits for potential buyers from throughout Northern California.
A registered buyer's luncheon immediately precedes the sale at 10:30 am, offering a tri-tip barbecue to all registered buyers under the auspices of the Kelseyville FFA boosters. The luncheon is provided in part by Safeway of Lakeport, and ends when the sale starts at 1 p.m.
In recent years, the sale has been split into two sales rings which operate at the same time, making for a total sale length of around three and a half hours and providing buyers with plenty of time to visit the rest of the Lake County Fair.
An average of around 230 lots have been offered for a number of years, and the 2007 total auction proceeds were nearly than $277,000.
“It's a real indication that the community supports youth programs like 4-H and the Future Farmers of America," said Fair Chief Executive Officer Richard Persons, adding, “those programs teach kids about agriculture, which is Lake County's largest economic sector, and about teamwork, sportsmanship, honor, and responsibility. We're hoping the community continues to support these programs, and we'd like to set a new record sale this year. Many of these kids save the money for college or other educational efforts, and eventually return to Lake County to become farmers and ranchers, so in the long run the whole community benefits.”
Steers, lambs, hogs, meat goats, turkeys, rabbits and chickens are offered during the auction, with grand champion winners crossing the auction block at the start of the program.
Two buyers are allowed to join together for the purchase of one lot, and buyers who are unable to attend can arrange for a proxy to buy on their behalf.
People who don't have enough space in their freezer to purchase at the auction may still have a chance to purchase prize winning meats, as a number of local grocers purchase at the sale and then offer the prime cuts at the meat counter in their stores.
Regular admission prices for the 2009 Lake County Fair are $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 6 through 11. Admission prices are unchanged since 2007. Children under 6 years old are admitted free everyday.
The Lake County Fair traditionally occurs Labor Day weekend each year at the fairgrounds in Lakeport. The 2009 fair dates are Thursday, Sept. 3, through Sunday, Sept. 6.
The Lake County Fair is one of Lake County's favorite summertime events, and is enjoyed by more than 37,000 people each year. The fair features a variety of entertainment, food, exhibits, a carnival, and livestock shows. This year's theme is “Fun in the Sun!”
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