Blue Ribbons Galore In Pee Wee Livestock Show

With names like Hoppy the rabbit and Snicker Doodle, Booster the Rooster, every kid and his or her pet was a winner Tuesday night in the Pee Wee livestock show.

The program was held at the Highlands County Fairgrounds and was put on by the Highlands County Fair Association.

This was at least the fifth year for the Pee Wee show, said Barbara Mishoe, with the fair association.

"They're pets," said Mishoe. "They take them home with them."

Twenty-three kids ages 4 to 7 got to show off their pet rooster, hen, rabbit or calf. Many carried them in, while the calves were coaxed, pulled and pushed into the arena.

A crowd of about 100 people looked on and shouted their support.

"They just do it for fun," said Nick Roberts, whose son Jared Roberts waited to show his pet rabbit named Hoppy. "They don't get any points toward future shows. It's just a preliminary."

The contest was held in the livestock pavilion. Sebring Police Chief Tom Dettman acted as judge and awarded every Pee Wee contestant a blue ribbon.

"A whole lot (of these children) have siblings showing so they get to be a part of the fair," said Susie Bishop, business development manager of Atlanticblue, who announced the individual entrants as they entered the ring. "They can start showing at age 8."

Mishoe announced the winners of several juried contests.

The winner for Grand Champion Hog held on Sunday was Dylan Feickert. The Reserve Grand Champion Hog award went to Jamie Wirries.

Grand Champion Rooster went to Jenna-Leigh Labarr. Reserve Grand Champion Rooster award went to Justin Bickman.

Grand Champion Hen was won by Hunter Martinez and Reserve Grand Champion Hen went to Dylan Feickert.

The title for Grand Champion Trio (two hens and a rooster judged together in a group) went to Michael Bickman. The Reserve Grand Champion Trio award went to Justin Bickman.

The Grand Champion Buck (male rabbit) was won by Jordan Collins and the Reserve Grand Champion Buck award went to Gracie Duncan.

The winner for Grand Champion Doe (female rabbit) was Mackenzie Holmes. The Reserve Grand Champion Doe was awarded to Megan Stein.

Winners of the Market Steer Show were Hunter Martinez for grand champion and Kate Bryan for reserve grand champion.

Both Martinez and Bryan appeared in Break No. 6 and each displayed steers weighing 1,235 pounds and 1,260 pounds, respectively.

"Most of these kids have had these animals (steers and heifers) since July or August," Mishoe said. "The hogs, they got them in October.

"This whole project is to teach our kids responsibility and about the agriculture industry. Their goal is to achieve the industry standards for the steers and heifers and hogs."

A heifer is defined as a young cow - one that has not yet given birth to a calf.

The contest for commercial heifer was scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, after press time at the livestock pavilion.

The livestock auction will take place at 6:30 tonight in the livestock pavilion.

"All hogs and steers go to slaughter," said Mishoe. "The heifers - the buyer has the option to take them back home. Any individuals or businesses, we'd really like them to come out and support these kids."