Published: March 22, 2008 06:37 pm            

EXPO TURNS 50: Puttin' on the Ritz!

Much planning in place for special date

It was so neat and clean at the Navarro County Youth Exposition Center Friday night, you’d swear someone had actually “swept” the dirt throughout the barns. They are getting ready for a “show” unlike any other celebration the Navarro County Youth Expo has seen to date.

The Youth Expo celebrates its 50th year of honoring youth achievement when it kicks off Monday. And quite a celebration is planned throughout the week, including the presentation of a video documenting the history of the event, a special exhibition class of animals with the Llama show set for Thursday, and a premium sale wrapping up the week Saturday that will likely bring out faces and folks from throughout the Expo’s history.

With Easter Sunday today, organizers were in full swing Friday and Saturday putting the final touches on the arena and barn areas. Some new “logistics” this year creates more “open space” for those who venture back to the barn area to view the exhibits and visit with the youngsters. With the addition of a completely new swine pen, the layout makes it easier for exhibitors and spectators alike to explore.

Saturday’s premium sale and steak lunch, always a big draw, will likely “pack the house” for the 50th anniversary of the Expo. Those in attendance will also be treated to a shortened version of the Expo’s anniversary video presentation, a collaborative effort of Youth Expo committee members and the Media department at Navarro College. Combining historical photographs with interviews from Expo volunteers and participants, the history of the event unfolds from the “Fair” of the 1930s to the county-wide extravaganza now known as “the Expo.”

Division judging begins Monday with food judging from 9 a.m. until noon, and poultry judging at 4 p.m.

Tuesday, the Creative Arts division will be judged from 9 a.m. until noon, and a busy day for the agriculture division with lambs judged at 1 p.m., and the meat goat division taking place one hour following the lamb judging.

Wednesday’s schedule includes agriculture mechanics judging at 9 a.m., market rabbits at 11 a.m., commercial heifer judging at 3 p.m. and the swine judging at 6 p.m.

Thursday, breeding rabbits will be judged at 11 a.m., the new exhibition Llama show is from 1 to 4 p.m., registered heifers will show at 5 p.m., and the steer show is set to follow at 7 p.m.

Friday, team judging events for dairy, land, poultry and livestock will begin at 8 a.m. Consumer decision making registration begins at 10:30 a.m. Results for both the ag and consumer science divisions will be announced after 1 p.m.

Saturday brings the celebration of the anniversary premium sale and steak luncheon, which includes a silent auction of many of the arts and crafts projects. The activities Saturday begin at noon.

Inside today’s Daily Sun is a special section dedicated to the many people and faces that have made up Expo history in Navarro County in a publication titled “50 Years, 50 Faces,” with profiles on 50 individuals who have been a part of the Expo’s past, and many continue to be involved to this day.

Daily results of the various divisions will appear throughout the week in the Daily Sun, including coverage of the premium sale and anniversary celebration.

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Bob Belcher may be reached via e-mail at belcher@corsicanadailysun.com

        

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