Grand champion steer owner Whitney Emmerling’s animal, named Benz, was purchased by McGuire Farm & Excavating and Reed Rinesmith Snow Removal, her family said.
“It feels really good,” the 14-year-old champion said.
Emmerling said she has been working on the project since November of last year and that it’s tough to auction off her steer because “they become your best friends.”
“I think he’s just always been a really nice steer, one of the biggest ones,” she said.
As for the money, Emmerling said she will probably put it back into using it for next year’s fair.
Breon Bumgardner, Emmerling’s mother, said she was surprised and that it was awesome to win because it’s their last time showing at the Clark County Fair. They are planning to move onto exhibiting at the Ohio State Fair in the future.
“I was actually the one who had picked him out. When my parents and I and my daughter looked at cattle ... I seen him standing up at the hill on a feed bump and I said that’s the one,” Bumgardner said.
A grand champion market hog was sold for $3,500.
Blair said Friday’s sale of champions included hardworking 4-H and FFA members who earned the championships and then sold to local businesses and residents who come to support the Junior Fair youth.
As for the rest of the week, Blair said they have had a delightful fair this year and “redefined what a good day at the fair is.”
“We’re really not so much interested in the numbers, although the numbers have been great and been up, but that’s not what we’re after. What we’re after is the quality of the fair, the family-friendly, safe, wonderful and easy to get around fair that creates an environment where you just have fun,” Blair said, “and we feel that’s what’s made it a good fair.”
Although the goal wasn’t the size of the crowd, Blair said attendance numbers are coming in as good as last year, which was roughly 75,000 people.
Changes were made to the fair this year, including to the gates, parking and admission to improve safety and add more parking. Blair said he feels they are on the right track and everything they’ve done helped make it more enjoyable.
Blair said other than fair queen being thrown from her horse opening weekend and a bull rider being injured Thursday, it’s been a nice fair. He said some people complained about the changes, but that did not spoil the fair for him and other organizers.
“As I look at the different events, every single performer showed up timely, every single performer and act and event exceeded my expectations,” he said. “It truly does take a village... We are very proud of what has happened this week.”
Credit: Bill Lackey
Credit: Bill Lackey
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