Your Hometown News Source
Your Hometown News Source
This scene from the 2019 Youth Livestock Sale, with a crowd of potential bidders seated on bleachers around the sale ring, won't be repeated-except that at the 2020 Columbia County Virtual Fair, youth livestock exhibitors will have buyers available to bid on their animals in an outdoor arena or via internet bidding. Rather than simply cancel the annual fair, the Fair Board has implemented measures to hold the fair virtually while complying with government COVID-19 restrictions.
DAYTON–This year, 2020, will long be remembered for the different ways communities coped with the coronavirus pandemic, and one of those memories will be the way the Columbia County Youth Livestock Sale was conducted in spite of onerous health-oriented restrictions.
Rather than cancel the popular sale, members of the Sale Committee adapted to state requirements so that area youth with livestock projects didn't miss the opportunity to reap the rewards of their dedication and hard work, according to Sale Committee member Rhonda Barker.
The sale will begin at 1 p.m., Sunday, September 13, with a combination of buyers in person and bidding via the internet.
"By tradition, the sale was on Saturday following the Fair barbecue," the Sale Committee indicated. "The goal of the Sale Committee is to help our youth get their animals to market and reward them for all their hard work," according to the Youth Livestock Sale Committee.
To follow COVID guidelines, the sale will take place outside the livestock barn and participants will be required to wear masks.
The sale will also include a live, on-line auction through liveauction.tv for buyers who wish to participate without attending, Barker said.
Previous buyers may opt to attend the live auction by registering ahead of time with the Committee.
The Exhibitors' tradition of having photos taken with the buyer and presenting appreciation gifts will be different. Photos will be mailed and no gifts will be exchanged on sale day.
Pre-registered buyers attending the auction will be identified by a wrist band for the Sunday auction.
All buyers entering the fairgrounds will be screened for COVID symptoms, be subject to a no-touch temperature check and must wear a mask. Just one representative per business is allowed.
As of this time, the Sale Committee anticipates 18 goats, nine lambs, 14 steers and 60 hogs will be auctioned.
The Sale Committee has arrangements with Blue Valley Meats of Walla Walla and C & L Lockers of Moscow, Id., for buyers to process animals. If a buyer has a different processor, those arrangements are the responsibility of that buyer.
For buyers wishing to support youth projects, the Sale Committee has a place for all "turn" animals.
The Sale Committee also offered individuals or buyers an avenue to contribute financial support without participating in the auction. Support may be sent to Columbia County Youth Livestock Sale, P.O. Box 274, Dayton, WA 99328.
Buyers who want to view the animals may visit the Columbia County Fair website for results of fitting and showing, and market classes.
The Sale Committee includes Rhonda Barker, Heidi James, Roland Schirman, Don Howard, Wally Robertson, Carolyn Laib, Rachel Turner, Curtis Hall, Janet Howard and John Laib.
For additional information, contact Barker at 509-520-7409 or James at 509-629-1901.
