ALAMEDA - After two different years, the Alameda Regional 4-H Show and Sale saw a greater turnout than probably ever before.
The Alameda Agricultural Society invited participants and spectators to join them on June 11 and 12. This year marked the first time the big 4-H event was spread over two days.
Alameda 4-H general leader Jason Frey said not only was the attendance great, but they also had more kids participating.
"We had a massive crowd, probably one of the biggest crowds we've had in a long, long time," Frey said. "We had about 120 4-H kids there. [And that's] higher [than before], we've grown since pre-pandemic."
In the first year of the pandemic, the show and sale was held virtually, and last year the crowd was restricted to parents only due to COVID regulations. But this time, as they were able to go back to their normal format, the participation grew, and the event attracted even more people than before.
The 2022 Alameda Regional 4-H Show and Sale saw the Alameda 4-H Beef Club, Carievale 4-H Beef Club, Carnduff 4-H Beef Club, Alida 4-H Beef Club and, new this year, Maryfield 4-H Beef Club participating in many different events and disciplines offered throughout the weekend.
The show and sale saw steer classes, a sheep show, Cloverbud steer and heifer classes, female class Pair of Calves, team grooming and showmanship, a judging class in which kids had an option to sign for judging, raffles and of course the steer sale and awards ceremony. The kids also had an option to bring their calves back next year, so there were some continuation projects.
Moreover, there was also a record book competition, in which clubs battled against each other.
Frey said the sale part of the event was really strong as well. They auctioned 88 steers. While he didn't have the average price, he said the prices were on par with pre-pandemic levels.
After all, the weekend in Alameda turned out to be very popular and gave the community a lot of positive emotions.
"It was a successful day. We had a good crowd, and we had good weather," Frey said.
He added that it takes a lot of planning to put the show and sale together. And this year with it being a two-day regional show, it took even more work. But it all paid out, and going forward they may stick to the new format.
"With the added members, it was getting too big, and it was too much to get into one day," Frey said. "It has to be re-examined, but I'm pretty sure we're going to stick with it.
"And then we are looking at adding some different things going forward. Now that we've got a little more time, [we want to try] to get some more fun doing things."
The Alameda 4H Regional is one of the largest shows of its kind in the province.
