84th annual Southeastern Youth Fair

Maron County’s 4-H and FFA students have been demonstrating their skills in a variety of subjects, including showing animals, at the annual event.

By Susan Smiley-Height, susan@magnoliamediaco.com

Ah, the smell of fresh hay, the splashes of water flying around as steers and other animals get groomed for the showring and the focused tension of students working to prove to judges that their hard work should be rewarded. Welcome to the Southeastern Youth Fair.

This year’s fair had 2,966 entries and 886 exhibitors vying for titles including Grand Champion in numerous contests. The 84^th annual fair, the oldest and largest of its kind in the nation, was dedicated to businessman and cattleman Hugh Dailey. The fair, which takes place at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion started Feb. 22 and ends March 2.

In addition to showing a variety of animals, student participants could also exhibit in areas of cooking, home arts, photography, horticulture and even tractor driving.

The Steer Show, the foundation of the SEYF, began in 1941. The fair in its current form started in 1978. The SEYF operates with one paid employee and more than 200 volunteers. The students showing animals can market them at fair sales to raise money, which typically is used to further their education.

According to SEYF Executive Director Sara LeFils, the new Southeastern Youth in Agriculture Foundation, which is a separate 501(c)(3) from the nonprofit SEYF, will help “provide more scholarships for our SEYF graduates. This year we are giving away over $21,000 in scholarships.”

Dailey, she added, who is a long-time supporter, executive board member and former exhibitor at the fair, spearheaded establishing the foundation.

“As a former participant, 4-H leader and active member of several fair committees, I have seen the positive impact the SEYF has on our community,” Dailey said. “My goal is to help the Southeastern Agricultural Youth Foundation raise over $1 million to help support scholarships for youth fair participants for many years in the future.”

To learn more, visit seyfair.com