Plans for youth livestock show taking shape
IMPERIAL — While much has yet to be set in stone, a livestock grading show will, in fact, be taking place in the near future at the Imperial Valley Fairgrounds.
One confirmed detail is the number of people who will be allowed on the fairgrounds during the event.
“The health department has answered,” Darrel Bostic, California Mid-Winter Fair and Fiesta board director, said. “We’re allowed to have 100 people on the facility.”
Imperial County Public Health Department gave Bostic and the rest of the fair board this news Monday afternoon.
A livestock committee meeting was held Tuesday afternoon to discuss who would fill the 100 allocated slots, as well as other details surrounding the show.
The 100-person limit applies only to the number of people inside the fairgrounds. It does not include people in the parking lots.
Bostic estimated staff and leaders would account for about 40 persons. As for the rest, it was estimated one show class would consist of 10 exhibitors. Two parents could then be potentially allowed for each exhibitor while they display their animals in the arena.
Another 30 persons – exhibitors and parents – would be waiting in the wings.
Once the first show class and guests leave the arena, then the second group would be allowed in.
One idea was having a third group wait in the parking lot and enter the grounds once the first class leaves.
Alan Phillips, the fair’s chief executive officer, emphasized that the parking lots should not become a congregation point, and that crowd limits should be set for the parking lots.
Philips suggested all exhibitors and their parents could park in the fairground’s east parking lot. Organizers discussed using wristbands and handstamps to keep track of everyone.
The entry deadline for youth exhibitors has been set for Feb. 12.
A draft schedule discussed Tuesday proposed that the show take place from Feb. 25 to March 1.
However, this schedule has yet to be confirmed. Only steers, feeder calves, swine, goats and sheep will be exhibited in the show.
Exhibitors will not be judged on showmanship. Additionally, it will be a dry show: No washing, clipping or grooming of animals will be permitted on the premises.