My City August 2021

THE GENESEE COUNTY FAIR YOUTH LIVESTOCK AUCTION Since 1850, the Genesee County Fair has delighted thousands of people from Greater Flint and the State of Michigan. Produced by the Genesee County Agricultural Society (GCAS), a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, the Fair’s main purpose is to create a fun, family atmosphere and provide agricultural educa tion. “While many people think of the Fair as entertainment and carnival rides,” explains Executive Director Christian Miller, “the annual event incorporates entertainment as a proponent of providing agricultural education, with the notion that those who might not come from an agricultural background may uninten tionally stumble upon agriculture during their visit.” To that end, the GCAS works with multiple programs and families through out the county (and beyond) and utilizes the Genesee County Fair as a forum to showcase their agricultural accomplishments. One such event is the Annual Youth Livestock Auction where young persons ages 8-19 can exhibit (for purchase) the animals they raised throughout the year. “This year we have close to 250 kids and teens bringing animals to the auction and 80% of them live in Genesee County,” adds Miller. “This event provides an opportunity to learn the personal responsi bility, determination and money management skills necessary to raise an animal to sell at auction. Each presenter takes home 95% of the proceeds to cover the rising cost of attending college.”This year, Fair attendees will have the chance to purchase an array of animals including cows, pigs, chickens, sheep, goats, rabbits and more. Gallon milk and feeder steers will also be available. “Showing livestock is a huge part of my life and is my passion,” says 15-year-old participant, Morgan Patterson. “Every year when I get new animals, I treat them with love and gentle handling.Through agriculture, I have learned so many things and developed skills to help me be successful.” The Youth Livestock Auction offers a chance to join the “buy local fresh food” movement and support the future of county and national agriculture. “At no time in the history of our industrialized nation have members of society taken a greater interest in the quality of the food they consume,” adds Miller. “The volume of citizens in our community who have made the decision to grow their own food is astounding and the Genesee County Fair intends to continue being a vital part of that phenomenon going forward.” The Livestock Auction will take place August 28, 2021, starting with the small animal auction at 10am followed by a luncheon for attendees.The large animal auction will begin at 1pm. For more information, see the Genesee County Fair website (gcf.org). “The Youth Livestock Auction at the Fair has experienced a growing crop of health-conscious consumers who are interested in purchasing food from the youth

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MORGAN PATTERSON

GENESEE COUNTY FAIR GRANDSTAND EVENT SCHEDULE ÃÝÇA ťӗ ĩ{ĩČě їј Ӳ ¶ŽAČ A ť Tiger Auto Salvage Monster Truck Show 7pm ěĩKČA ťӗ ĩ{ĩČě їљ Ӳ ČKǎݡ :ŽěŽŹKÇČ A ť Republic Services Bump ‘N’ Run 7pm ŚKAÇKČA ťӗ ĩ{ĩČě їњ Ӳ y ĄÃKĄČԇ A ť Flint New Holland presents Truck &Tractor Pull 7pm PFCU presents CK 105.5 Big Sing 9pm ě‰ĩĄČA ťӗ ĩ{ĩČě їћ Ӳ ĄÃKA ČKĄřŽ:KČ A ť Budweiser presents Travis Tritt wsg Audrey Ray 7pm WFBE 95.1 Afterburner with Audrey Ray 9pm FRIDAY, AUGUST 27 Mid-States Bolt & Screw presents Figure 8 Derby 7pm Great White wsg Spiral Crush (advance $25 ticket required) 9pm SATURDAY, AUGUST 28

Youth Small Animal Livestock Auction 10am Youth large Animal Livestock Auction 1pm Randy Wise presents Ram Rodeo 7pm Saliva wsg Westfall (advance $15 ticket required) 9pm

SUNDAY, AUGUST 29 Pet Adoption Event 10am T&M Electric presents Mud Bog 7pm

JOIN THE FRESH FOODMOVEMENT AND SUPPORT THE AGRICULTURALISTS OF ěÝÃÝĄĄÝŚә yÝĄ Ç ‰ÝĩĄӳ9ťӳ‰ÝĩĄ A Ž¸ť EVENT LIST, PLEASE VISITWWW.GCF.ORG.

leaders in their community,”Miller concludes. Support Local at the Genesee County Fair! x