Livestock Shows

Laura Jessup shows everything from goats to turkeys. No matter the animal, memories are made at the North Carolina State Fair.

Karsyn Westerbeek September 28 September 28

Finding a passion does not have an age limit. No matter if you’re ten or one hundred, it is always a good time to start doing something you love. Youth livestock shows at the North Carolina State Fair allow students to get passionate about something and learn in the process. A junior at Uwharrie Charter Academy , Laura Jessup became interested in showing at the young age of five and has continued ever since. One great thing about North Carolina is the community that agriculture has formed. “I joined 4-H when I was five,” Laura said. “Some of the other kids…

Showing livestock goes beyond the individual – The Sharp family raises swine for North Carolina State Fair competitions

Karsyn Westerbeek September 7 September 7

When you grow up doing something, it becomes a part of your character. You learn and grow from the things that you love. The Sharp family has been showing swine for over 30 years. In fact, the families uncle Alan and grandfather, Thad Sharp Jr., were both inducted into the North Carolina Livestock Hall of Fame. Now, the whole family including parents Donna and Thad and children T and McLane, commit a great amount of their time to showing swine at both county and state level livestock shows. Being raised surrounded by agriculture and the showing community has shaped the…

The Kennedy Family has a fair devotion to swine

Katie Hubbard September 19 September 20

Brian and Sherry Kennedy of Duplin County are devoted N.C. State fairgoers. Not only do they pack up the family to attend the annual State Fair, but they are keen livestock competitors, especially when it comes to showing swine. Brian Kennedy’s passion for livestock started at a young age. “My life has always been ingrained in agriculture. Growing up, I was a part of FFA. At first, I started by showing steers and heifers and then moved into swine showmanship.” Brian is the finishing production manager at Prestage Farms where he has worked since 1991. His job at Prestage Farms,…

Worth the Wait!! – Dairy Show

Funhouse October 21 October 20

The following blog is a guest post provided by Rachel Gray, a Senior in Agribusiness at the University of Mount Olive. The article is part of a series of blogs provided by UMO students. The North Carolina State Fair is an annual event people anxiously look forward to attending. During the 10 days the fair is hosted, nearly one million people will visit the fairgrounds. Livestock and poultry competitions go on throughout the fair. Families from across North Carolina and surrounding states work year-round to prepare their livestock for competitions. My younger sister and I have shown dairy cattle since…

Hair breed sheep bring a new look to a classic show

Giant Watermelon October 6 October 4

Livestock shows are a classic part of the North Carolina State Fair, so it’s only fitting that the fair’s return in 2021 would bring with it a new show for people to enjoy. The junior market lamb show will add a hair wether breed division this year, bringing in a new and popular breed to the fair for the first time. Bill Sparrow, junior market lamb superintendent, said that haired sheep have grown in popularity recently. “I wouldn’t say they’re new, but in the last 20 to 30 years haired sheep have increased in numbers dramatically and significantly as a…

Changes to 2021 Youth Livestock Shows

Christa Dutton June 17 September 16

Although the State Fair had to be canceled last year, the Youth Livestock Shows were fortunately still able to go on. The shows are continuing this year, however, they will still not be operating in their pre-pandemic state as was hoped. Because of the financial hit these shows took when revenue was not generated by the 2020 State Fair or other events held at the fairgrounds, some changes will have to be implemented to keep the show going. Below is a list of some of this year’s major changes: The schedule will be much more spread out, allowing species to…

The Greatest Gift of the NC State Fair: The Memories

Marisa Linton See October 6 October 6

In less than a month, youth from across the state will be able to do what they always have, albeit a bit different. In less than a month, livestock trailers will pull in to the NC State Fairgrounds to compete in another year of shows. Goats, cattle, pigs, sheep and turkeys will all make an appearance with some very eager youth. Masks will be plentiful and distance will abound, but the show will go on, thanks to the dedication and hard work of many. Because of their efforts, youth from across the state will be able to make memories yet…

The Show Must Go On

Marisa Linton See July 20 July 20

For months, life has been uncertain. COVID-19 (we’d all be fine never hearing that word again) has wreaked havoc on our world. In many ways, we have come to expect events to be canceled and life to be anything but normal. For many of us, it is just easier not to hope. That’s not to say all hope is gone. When it comes to the livestock show community, hope abounds. Even before the N.C. State Fair announced that they intended “to offer a modified livestock show program for junior competitors” and encouraged “youth livestock exhibitors to continue working with their…

2020 NC State Fair Youth Livestock Scholarship Announced

Marisa Linton See July 6 June 25

26 individuals were selected as recipients of this year’s NC State Fair Youth Livestock Scholarship. The scholarship is funded through proceeds of the NC State Fair Sale of Champions. This year, more than $53,000 in scholarships were awarded. Thanks to the support of buyers and sponsors of the N.C. State Fair Sale of Champions, more than two dozen students will have some of the financial stress of college eased. Showing livestock prepares youth for their future by teaching them responsibility, hard work, good sportsmanship, dedication, and discipline that will help them succeed in college and future careers. Showing livestock also…

First-time Turkey Showman Wins Grand Champion

Marisa Linton See June 29 June 25

In honor of National Turkey Lovers’ Month, we wanted to highlight one of our turkey showman. This is Hattie Jo’s story. Every year, feathers fly in a large white tent by Gate 2 at the NC State Fair. Youth between the ages of five and 18 flock together to show turkeys that they have raised over the summer. While the Youth Market Turkey Show is similar to other livestock shows in that youth learn responsibility, hard work, and other life skills, the turkey show also stands apart from the other shows in unique ways. Hattie Jo Powell, 14, can attest…

Category: Livestock Shows