Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
FFA Alumni Progress Show planners and organizers in the left photo include, from left, Sandy Lukassen, Jenifer and Dustin Wilke (in front are their children Ely and Dean), Grace Anderson, Amber and Byron Wilke, Krystal Wilke and Colton Boren. Not pictured but crucial to the weekend activities were Cassidy Malm, Denelle Klosterman, Amanda Culek, Monica Jenson and Brandi Wasielewski. In the other photo, Kimball County was represented well as Olivia Toth's hog took reserve champion.
The Kimball County Fairgrounds was a destination spot last weekend for families and youth on the progress show circuit.
People from all over the Panhandle, Colorado and Wyoming converged on Kimball for the 21st annual Father's Days Progress Show.
A small but mighty group of Kimball FFA Alumni run the show, which has grown to become a major stop on the traveling youth progress shows. The FFA Alumni have the details down and the show runs like clockwork.
Amber Wilke said they strive to make it simple for themselves and the kids.
"We have two rules – weigh in on time and be on time for your class," she said.
Clipping animals is acceptable but not mandatory. Less rules result in less drama, according to Wilke.
More than 220 animals were shown with 155 youths participating in market and showmanship classes.
Wilke said that the progress show is not a moneymaker but a chance for local kids to get their animal to town and show it before the county fair.
She was pleased with the number of Kimball area families that took part in the event.
The progress show is really just a community service project for the FFA Alumni, not a fundraising event.
On Saturday, pigs, sheep and goats were in the show ring, and Sunday the cattle were the main event.
Winners receive a banner and a payout check, while showmanship winners get a cup and a blade sharpening coupon.
Receiving grand champion hog was Will Long, and reserve was Olivia Toth. Grand champion sheep was Haylee Brunckner, and reserve was Kason Bowman.
Winning goats were both of Dylan Wagner's animals.
Grand champion steer was won by Callie Tharp and reserve was Alexa Tollman.
Finally, Tatum and Tegan Deporter took grand and reserve for breeding heifers.
