Breakdown of all 2022 Lawrence County Fair Activities
Alex Boggs prepares her pig for the great livestock show
The 2022 Lawrence County Fair started the previous weekend with Pageant and Motor Cross. Thursday at 5pm the opening of the Fair occurred at the Pinehill location with Opening Remarks by Judge Phil Carter, National Anthem sang by Maelyn Huff and Twenty-One Gun Salute by the Lawrence County VFW.
Then it was off to the Livestock Pavilion for the large animal livestock show.
The evening show started with the hog show. There were some new exhibitors in the ring this year so they started the evening with the senior class: Grand Champion Market Hog went to Wyatt Branham with his 260-pound hog “Lyz”. Reserve went to Citori Branham with her 230# Wilber and 3rd place Alexanderia Boggs with “Susie”.
The JR (9-14 years old) division came into the arena Declan Meade won the market class with his 230-pound hog “Miss Piggy”. Claire Dutton came in reserve with her 206-pound hog named “Skya”. All exhibitors have worked very hard this year designing diets, walking pigs, and developing a relationship with their animals. Judge Caleb Martin, stated “these exhibitors have worked hard as evidence by the nice selection of hogs in these classes.
Showmanship classes were next on the showbill, this class showcases what the exhibitors know about their animals. Judges ask the exhibitors questions and see not only what the exhibitor knows about their animal but also the species and industry. The SR showmanship class was won by Citori Branham, a freshman at Murray State University, followed by Wyatt Branham. The JR showmanship was won by Claire Dutton and Skya followed by Declan and Miss Piggy. Next to enter the ring was breeding class of hogs Grand Champion went to Wyatt Branham, reserve was Alexanderia Boggs and Suz. Roaster Division, hogs under 200 lbs., was won by Wyatt Branham and Dazy.
The pigs left the arena and entered into the arena were the lambs. Sr. Market Lambs was first class, when judge Caleb Martin called grand champion Wyatt Branham and his lamb Kobe. Reserve went to Citori Branham. Jr Market lamb was Addison Flaugher and Go Brandon, Reserve went to Addeline Flaugher and third to Griffon Newton. Showmanship switched it up a bit and Citori Branham and Addeline Flaugher were awarded Grand Champion. Cloverbud Matthew Sparks showcased his lamb Ferdinand in the clover bud class. His first year showing was a success and as a 3-year-old, he has many more years to go.
Goats were next to enter the arena. Market Goat class Sr Division was won by Ally Moore and her goat Russel. Reserve was awarded to Abby Moore and her goat Fred. The JR division market goats was won by Braely Ward with her Margie. Goats are a little rambunctious and according to Brandi Rose, mother of 3 of the goat exhibitors, “They work so hard to tame them getting them to lead, getting them used to bathing, hoof trimming, haircuts, feeding them and checking them daily for good health, keeping stalls cleaned, fresh water, and hay. “She knows when they get to show their biggest and happiest moments are in the show ring and that is what brings her heart so much joy. The girls captured Showmanship awards as Abby with Fredrick would reserve top honors, followed by sister Ally and Russell. Braely would win the Jr Class showmanship with her Boer doe Margie.
The last class of Thursday was the Cattle. Wyatt Branham would take reserve with his steer Buckets, a Brahma steer with first place going to Cheron Flaugher with her Angus Steer “Burgerlishus”. Alex Boggs, was named grand champion with FFA Clifford as the Best in Show. Amity Vance and Norman were awarded Grand Champion Breeding as well as Sr. Showmanship. Jr Feeder Calf was won by Addy Flaugher. Jr Breeding Grand Champion was Kelsey Vance and Nelly. Reserve was Owen Salyer and Zeus. Showmanship Grand Champions were Amity Vance and Kelsey Vance. According to Jessica Vance, mother of Amity and Kelsey, these girls work extremely hard in all they do, circumstances come up and Kelsey ended up using a heifer she had only gotten to work with for a little while and for her to win two classes her extreme work really paid off.
At the conclusion of the show and youth in the crowd interested in showing an animal next year could come work with a 4-H/FFA youth and animal in the ring to see if it was a fit for them.
In the Extension Tent on the top of the fairgrounds starting at 7pm, Cowboy Church was taking place. According to fair board member James Allen Pauley Barker, two preachers and two -three singing groups are asked to facilitate cowboy church. This year the preachers were Shane Fyffe and Chuck Price with special singers Michelle Skaggs, the Branham Family, and Praise band James Ellis and Kenny Chaney. Everyone really enjoyed the singing and preaching, it concluded about 30 minutes after the livestock show.
The midway was filled with BBQ, pizza, lemonade, funnel cakes, and much more food. When looking for Knick/knacks, shirts and other items, you can find it on the Lawrence County fairgrounds. Vendors will be selling t shirts, wood projects, cups, and many more items.
Friday, the evening got started with small animal livestock being shown in the Livestock Pavilion. First up would be the Poultry Division, youth may show any poultry including chicken, ducks, turkey or any fowl. Senior Market Poultry Division Grand Champion was Alley Moore and Midnight, reserve grand champion went to Alley Moore and Pepper, however not to be outdone Alley would pick up the win in both Sr. Breeding Poultry and Showmanship, using the information she won in Animal Science Class. Junior Breeding Poultry Division went to Sarah Brewer and her chicken Betty, reserve was Kelsey Vance and Sugar. Junior Market champion was Emily Holbrook with Hulk and reserve was Braely Ward with Red Rocket. Showing their knowledge off in Poultry showmanship was Kelsey Vance and Sugar followed by Sarah Brewer and Betty. Clover bud Jaxen Dalton with Sally took top honors in the poultry divisions Clover bud Class.
Rabbits would conclude the livestock division in the Livestock Pavilion. Junior Showman Sarah Brewer would showcase her rabbits winning both Junior Breeding Rabbit with Snowball, a fluffy white lion head and junior market with Buttercup. She got reserve in the Showmanship Class where Samantha Spradlin took Grand Champion, after having fallen reserve to Brewer in the previous classes. The last class of the night was the clover bud class where Serenity Stapleton and Kennedy Hayes would take top honors.
About the same time as a small shower came through, it was time to get started in the horseshow arena.
The mutton busting’ kids didn’t care to get wet or dirty. Sixteen riders would compete for 10 spots to ride during the rodeo.
The top competitors were: Irina Marcum, Eliam Blackburn, Charlie Burke, Dash Vanhoose, Oliver Lyons, Brian Burke, Paisley Raines, Westly Crum, Ella Kate Humphrey, Colton Bently, Jonathan Chase McKinster, and Colton Davis Alternates Harper Spillman and Laney Huff.
The arena was cleared and the horse show began!
There were 25 classes in total but the first class was for those very beginner riders, lead line. It was all smiles for the exhibitors as the judge announced he couldn’t make his mind up and trophies would be won by all.
Then it was on to Open Ladies Pleasure where Sherri Adams from Winfield WV and What’s Your Pleasure would take top honors, followed by Alisha Hall of Grayson KY and Shades of Gray. The Juvenile Mountain Horses would enter the arena and Reed Meadows of Salyersville KY would win the halter and first place awards followed by Jarja Hamblin of Scott Depot WV on I’m Beth Dutton.
It was on to the pleasure classes and then class 12 would bring a good laugh with the baby bottle race where the horse is ridden with 2 riders and the person in the back must suck the bottle while the person in the front steers the horse and holds the bottle in the back. Shelby Taylor and Denver may have gotten third but they got it done. Brayden Sparks of Blaine KY came in second on Cookie following Lindsey Thomas riding Khaleesie in Go As You Please Pleasure. Juvenile Pleasure would pay top honors to Wyatt Branham on Generals Five Star Command. Kirk Wireman of Salyersville would win the Open Spotted Pleasure class. Class 20 would start the championship classes and over $3000 of payouts. Class 20 Youth Pleasure Championship would be won by Jorja Hamblin and Jasmine’s Tee Time. Keith Perdue would take top honors in Open Mountain Horse Championship and Jorja Hamblin would be back in the winner’s circle for Open Pleasure Championship. Class 23 would bring on the speed events, where horses are racing the clock and not being judged by a person. Pole bending was the first class, where horse must run down weave through 6 poles down and six back and run home, fastest time wins. The fastest time of the night would go to Ella Crum and Holly and boy do they make it look easy. Second place in poles would go to Angelyna Parks followed by Jackie Arnett. Poles were removed and Barrels place in the arena for the last two classes of the night. Youth Barrels was won by Angelyna Parks followed by Aliza Kendricks of Olive hill and Citori Branham of Louisa. Open Barrels would be the last class of the night and was won by Angelyna Parks with a time of 18.15, followed by Tanner Henderson 18.463 and Citori Branham on Flowers with a time of 18.477. This concluded the horseshow.
Saturday morning the fair opened at 9am with registration for the car show, tractor show, and cornhole tournament at the Louisa United Methodist Church Parking lot. The Cornhole tournament hosted 25 teams for a winning purse of $750. Car and Tractor Show results to follow.
The cultural arts exhibits were entered in the Lawrence County Extension Tent from 10-12 and then judging began. Exhibits can include quilts, clothing, vegetables, pictures, and much more. The livestock auction began at noon in the livestock pavilion. There are two divisions for buyers: Market, where the buyers can take the animal and then scholarship where they can support the youth and the youth keep the project animal.
The high selling animal in the auction was Wyatt Branham’s Grand Champion Market Hog for $750 by Bridgeport Equipment followed by Claire Dutton’s market hog purchased by Judge Phil Carter for $600. The top selling Ham was Katie Compton with $150 for her ham by Lawrence County Farm Bureau. It was donated back to her where she says it will hang to use for Christmas dinner.
Market animals would bring in $3100 to the youth and scholarship would bring in $2175, followed by ham sales $570 for a total of $5845.00 for the youth to prepare for next year’s fair projects. This money goes directly to the youth at a livestock banquet. Buyers at this years Youth Livestock Auction include Blow Out Tire, Bridgeport Equipment, Ripps Farm Center, Barker Equipment, Down Home Grill, Lawrence County Farm Bureau, Bluegrass Stock Yard, Wes Vanhorn, Miranda Napier, Halcomb Auction, Austin Dotson, and Judge Phil Carter.
Next in the Livestock arena was the greasy pig chase. There were four age divisions to enter and the kids and adults alike had a blast. Perhaps the most fun was had by Whitney Robinson in the Adult class, where Aden Handley helped her for the win. The livestock arena was cleared by the 4-H and FFA youth to prepare for the concert by Sam L Smith and Alex Miller.
Outhouse Races would start at 2pm on the lanes outside the livestock pavilion where 4 teams would race for the title of Big Dipper, #2, and the little stinker. The races are recorded live on the fair facebook page if you are interested in building one or racing next year. Winners of this year’s event were Big Dipper was 4-Hers Sara Brewer as the sitter and pushers: Wyatt Branham, Ethan Salyer, and Will McDavid. Second place went to Duece’s Wild Team of Wes Colegrove’s. The little stinkers were FFA team Alex Boggs Sitter, Pushers Brady Vinson, Corbin Jordan, and Aden Handley. Fourth place was Dukey’s Diner team by Nina Peck where Kate was sitting being pushed by Kayla Nina and Braylin. The areas were cleared and started setting up for the rodeo.
On the side lot the Outlaws pulling club could be seen and heard as they pulled the sled for the championship. It was delayed a small amount due to the track being too wet and having to fix the track for pulling. It was a great event even Judge Phil Carter got to try it out.
The Rodeo brought to you by King Brothers Rodeo Company was Amazing this year with 4 acts, 4 sets of bulls, 2 sets of barrels, and a whole lot of excitement. During Intermission Mutton Busting Finals were held and Charlie Burke would be awarded the buckle with a 78-point ride, followed by Colton Bentley with a 75-point ride and Chase Mckinster scoring 73. Fourth place would go to Dash Vanhoose scoring 71 and Eliam Blackburn with a 70-point ride. That concluded all our qualified rides. Then it was back to the rodeo arena for the remainder and perhaps the most exciting part of the bull riding. Several local riders gave a try at it. Results will follow. Lady Barrel Racers also graced the arena with several fast horses and a few knocked barrels. Donations were taken during the fair for Eastern KY flood relief victims and $518 will be going to them in the form of gift cards.
If you were at the rodeo, you could see the hot air balloon on the hill at the Louisa United Methodist Church Parking lot. From 6-9 the Sky Cab made many fair goers’ day. Paula Lambert is now hooked on the hot air balloon and is considering going to Louisville to go higher than the one offered in Louisa.
Once the rodeo concluded the Concert began with Sam L Smith. Sam sang his “Blue Jacket” original song which honors future and current farmers as well as some other original and remakes. Sam has several concerts lined up; you can follow him on Facebook under Sam L Smith Music to get a list of those dates. Alex Miller was one of the greatest shows according to fair goers. He sang some original songs from his “Miller Time” album. Fans could grab t shirts, CD; s and other merchandise after the concert. If you missed the concert, check them out on you tube and although it won’t be as good you can see how great these two musicians were. The fairgrounds closed on the 2022 Lawrence County Fair.
Our Youth at work in Lawrence County
Serenity and her grand champion rabbit
