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Show SPANISH FORK WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2009 • A3 Covering what matters most Junior stock show continues for 85th year There and Back Again Shirlcne R. Ottesen For many young people in our area, the month of May is significant in their lives and not just because , another school year will . soon end; it's because of the annual Spanish Fork Junior Livestock Show that has been held in the city of Spanish Fork for the past 85 years. The roots of agriculture go very deep in Spanish Fork and the surrounding rural communities and by the attendance at the show last week, it looks like the future is in good hands. Participating in the show is the culmination of weeks of tender, loving care given to a special animal. The first stock show held in Spanish Fork was in 1924. According to an article published in the old Spanish Fork Press in 1981 and written by Wil- lis Hill, we learn how it all started. "In 1922, a veterinarian, Dr. G. C. Taylor moved to Spanish Fork and was the only veterinarian in the whole county. This Dr. Taylor had a lot of ideas about livestock and one of his ideas was the quality of animals. Hereford cattle was the dominant breed and several Spanish Fork residents decided to show each other their bulls. It was probably early spring when they tied their bulls to the horse railing on the north side of the City Park. There were 11 bulls in the first show. I can remember because I was in high school and my teacher was Joe Skinner. The second show was held at the park, but the third, which had more participants, was held at a race track (now the present site of the fair grounds). Several early cattlemen started making plans to build a big show barn. Lee Davis, a local carpenter, helped and with donated help and material the west lean [it has since been torn down] was built. My class in school was allowed to miss school to work on the barn. In 1928, Dr. Taylor died and Dr. R. C. Swalburg moved to Spanish Fork. At this time, the city decided to build the big barn with the east lean. "In 1932, with the help of the city and the WPA, a hog and sheep barn was built. It was also at this time that it was felt that someone or a group should be responsible for the show. George Larsen and the American Legion took it over and this included: Leo Banks, Bill Bufton, John Booth. Angel Caras and others; and Dr. Swalburg, more or less, assumed to be the manager of the show. Because the show was going in the red, the Junior Chamber of Commerce took over the show with Roy Broadbent, President; Jack Swenson, Treasurer; Willis Hill, Secretary and Raleigh Williams, Manager. "John Booth was serving in the slate senate and got financial help from the state. Because most of the exhibitors came from the FFA and 4-H, we started to call the show a 'Junior livestock show' [which continues to this day.] In years past exhibits included chickens, rabbits and pigeons. "In 1940, a permanent organization was formed with By-laws and 15 Directors. John Booth was the first President and Willis Hill was Manager. The show lasted a whole week and included a horse show, several horse events and a stock parade. The carnival came to town and a popular event was the horse pulling contest under the direction of Ed Banks and John Abildskov. Another popular event was the calf scramble copied from a stock show in Denver." We are indebted to Wil- Kiwanis lis Hill for the memories and information he shared about the beginning and the early days of the stock show. He was very active in this organization and we are lucky to have his first-hand account of it's beginning. The purpose throughout all these years is still in tact: to provide a wholesome activity for the youth to participate in, to promote the business of agriculture and to reinforce the bond between animals and the human family. Many of the events have been discontinued. The horse show events are no longer a part of the show, the carnival comes only during Fiesta Days, the calf scramble and the parade were discontinued. A stock show is a real piece of Americana. There is just no better mix than kids and animals participating in this worth while event. It's a great way to teach responsibility; a lesson that will help them through a lifetime. It's your animal and be it a pig, Iamb or a beef, they depend on you to feed and take care of them. Parents and leaders are to be commended for their support. The smell of hamburgers cooking mingled with the smell of straw in the barns, the kids giving their animal that last clip or stroke of a brush is best. The excitement and anticipation of maybe, just maybe having the best "one" there is thick. They always look like a champion at home, but when you get there with all the others, you can only hope. Win or lose, you tried. It's about patience, not giving up and being a good sport. Our thanks to all those who give so fiercely of their time and energy to this event. It takes a lot of people to make it all come together and be a success. It's adds to our area in many ways. May it continue to do so. Cemetery Decoration for Memorial Day 2009 Courtesy photo STOCK SHOW BANQUET: On Friday, May 1, 2009 the Kiwanis Club sponsored a roast beef dinner for all the stock show participants and their families. The event was held at Diamond Fork Jr. High and was attended by over 500 people. The Kiwanis club financed the dinner, served the food and helped with set up and clean up of the school. Gordon Orr served as chairman for the event. A special thanks to Circle V Meat for donating the meat and to the Nebo School District lunch workers who helped prepare the food. Scouting Expo Spanish Fork City Parks Department would like to thank all those who decorate the Cemetery with flowers for Mother's Day. It is always a beautiful sight. Our crews are now preparing the Cemetery to look great for Memorial Day. We need your help. Cemetery patrons have placed plants, cut flowers, potted flowers, artificial flowers and plants, baskets, container's, stands and other memorabilia around the head stones and sometimes covering the grave site. This makes it impossible to maintain the grass without removing or damaging the memorabilia. Please remove these items from the grass around the head stones on or before Sunday, May 17, 2009. Some grave markers provide room on the concrete skirting around the headstones for placing these items that won't conflict with the string trimmers and mowers. We encourage patrons to use these areas only and keep all items well away from the grass. On Monday, May 18, 2009 the cemetery crews will dispose of all remaining memorabilia not removed from the grass. Patrons can begin to decorate for Memorial Day on Thursday, May 21, 2009. Thank You. For your information... A Scouting Expo is coming to Spanish Fork on Saturday, May 16 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. This will be held at the indoor tennis courts at the Fairgrounds. This event will feature scouting skills being demonstrated,, plus many specialty booths and activities. The expo is free to the public. Food can be purchased at the event also. This will be a fun activity for all families. Those wanting to set up a booth can still do so. The final deadline is May 1.5. Contact Eugene Colledge at 798-3026 for further information. The Yellow Pages forgot our ad but we're still here and won't forget you. Ronald M. Pugh O.D. 321 West Center, Spjnish Fork 801-798-7496 Madison's Avenue by "Big Al" and "Farnzy" Cary Robarge of Robarge Collision wants you to know the facts. "No insurance company can dictate which shop repairs your vehicle. The choice is yours. Secondly, shop owners like myself can negotiate with the insurance company and handle everything from start to finish." Thanks for shopping local. 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