4-H kids spend a day in the showpen

Bradie Jill Jones, Herald Reporter
Posted 6/6/18

4-H groups gather in Evanston for show

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4-H kids spend a day in the showpen

Posted

EVANSTON — The sounds of sheep and goats filled the morning air on a recent Saturday, May 19, as young members of 4-H groups from Wyoming and the surrounding states gathered to practice their animal showmanship skills at the annual Southwestern Wyoming Snowball Show. 

“Normally we have snow, sometimes mud, but luckily we don’t this year,” said Peggy DuCharme, who, along with her husband, Richard, host the show at their barn each year. 

Families loaded up their farm animals and made their way to Evanston from other cities in Wyoming, some in Utah and a few from Idaho. 

“We have an Idaho family that is brand new, that came in to join us this year,” Peggy DuCharme said. 

More than 50 animals were shown as the youth honed their showmanship skills, already preparing for their county fairs late this summer.

“I have spent a lot of Friday nights and Saturday mornings, to Saturday evenings, showing in a place like this with this same group of people; it’s a lot of fun and there’s nothing I’d rather be doing,” said 4-H volunteer and participant Gavin Simmons. 

Simmons, in between announcing winners and keeping paperwork straight, showed his own goat and lamb. 

The entire show was run by the young 4-H members who make up the two local clubs, the Misfits and the Show Kids. The gate, registration process and prize table were all run by the youth. The livestock judge, Dallin Brady, was brought in from the University of Wyoming Livestock Judging Team. 

After a round in the pen, the winners were given buckles, trophies or tickets for prizes. 

The opportunity to get showing experience before the county fair comes this summer was provided by the Farm Credit Service, Walmart and the DuCharmes, who spent the day serving up Peggy’s homemade barbecue, Louisiana style. 

Fiddling with some of the fixings for the luncheon, Peggy said, “I just love the 4-H.” As she glanced up at the pen that was full of boys and girls, she added, “The kids become your kids.”