County legislators tour fairgrounds, meet 4-H owners of animals to be auctioned

By RICK MILLER

Olean Star

LITTLE VALLEY — Several Cattaraugus County lawmakers toured the county fairgrounds in Little Valley Wednesday with 4-H members and officials.

The legislators and members of the Cattaraugus County visited with 4-H exhibitors, many of whom were showing animals entered in Saturday’s 4-H Market Animal Auction.

There are nearly 200 animals entered in the auction which begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, said Eric Clayson, fair livestock director and auction promoter.

The entire auction will be in person at the judging ring this year after four years of online bidding whIch started during COVID-19, said Abbigail Luzier, 4-H youth educator.

Last year’s market auction brought the young owners more than $234,000.

On the auction block are 25 beef steers, five dairy steers, eight goats, 21 lambs, 58 hogs, 25 chicken pairs, 14 turkeys and three epns of rabbits. Also at the auction are some tasty home-made pies and new this year, two coolers filled with dairy products valued at $250.

County legislators and others on the tour of the fairgrounds met the young owners of many grand champions and reserve champions. 

They also watched a milking demonstration organized by Katie Hill and members of the Dairy Ambassadors. They will be distributing servings from a giant ice cream sundae at the Ag Adventure tent on the infield Thursday at 2 p.m.

The fairgrounds hosted its second country music concert in two nights Wednesday with Cooper Alan.

On Thursday, Junior Department and Open Beef shows start at 9 a.m. The midway opens at 1 p.m. There is a cat show at 6 p.m. The WNY Pro Pulling Series starts at 7:30 p.m. in front of the grandstand.

On Friday the Open Dairy Show starts at 9 a.m., followed by the All Breed Horse Show at 10 a.m., and Barnyard Olympics at 4 p.m. The Monster Mash Monster Truck Pit Party starts at 6 p.m., followed by the Monster Mash Monster Truck Rally at 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday, there is an All Breeds Horse show starting at 10 a.m. and the Market Class Animal Auction at 10:30. The Monster Mash Monster Truck Rally returns at 1:30 p.m. At 6:30 p.m. there will be a School Bus Demolition Derby, followed by the Demolition Derby.