The Highs & Lows of the Livestock Show

Livestock shows are one of the events I truly enjoy.   For the kids who take part, it’s the drama of life played out in dusty barns as they give it their all for themselves, perhaps for the glory of their 4-H clubs or their F.F.A. chapters.   In Texas, livestock shows are an indelible part of our culture.   This will be the first of two posts on the Williamson County Livestock Show.  Here, my focus is on 11-year-old Colton Stark, a Georgetown youngster who showed his three hogs, Bacon Junior, Grave Digger and Psycho.   Bacon Junior fared well for Colton, earning him a second-place ribbon.   After that, however, it was hard going.   Grave Digger, through no fault of his own, experienced sciatica problems in the arena.   Psycho, as his name implied, was healthy, but somewhat reluctant to take directions from Colton.   There to offer support and comfort were Colton’s mom and dad, Craig and Brandi.  And his good friend, Gunner Clapper, also 11, was there for him.  That’s Gunner  in the next to last photo.    Young Mr. Stark will do well in life.   He’s got spirit and determination, even if this day didn’t end as well as he’d liked.   These photos accompanied a Williamson County Sun story by Joyce May.