by Mark Parker
March 18, 2008 10:11 am
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Heading into its sixth year, the Eastern Kansas Swine Show Series is still aimed directly at the goal for which it was created—providing a fun family atmosphere for folks who enjoy showing pigs.
“There are a lot of friendships made—it's like a big family,” says Nancy McDougal who serves as a board member from Leavenworth County. “(The shows) teach kids how to win and lose gracefully. Those are lessons that can’t be preached.”
In addition to life lessons, McDougal is excited about the increasing quality not only of the animals but of the kids who show them. Last year the shows drew from 130 to 280 pigs at each event, culminating in a finale at Tonganoxie.
This year’s schedule includes:
•May 2, Shawnee County, Topeka
•May 10, Coffey County, Burlington
•May 11, Lyon County, Emporia
•May 24, Franklin County, Ottawa
•May 31, Linn County, Mound City
•June 7, Anderson County, Garnett
•June 8, Miami County, Paola
•June 14, Leavenworth County, Tonganoxie
Showmen earn points throughout the series which go toward season-end awards and honors.
For McDougal and the rest of the folks who put on the events, it’s important that everyone is a winner.
“The last couple of years, we have strived to see that every kid at that last show wins something. We have a huge drawing so everybody has a chance to win.
“Our sponsors have been great and we’ve been able to give out some fantastic prizes—Ipods, a television, and other neat things in addition to a lot of show supplies.”
For the show ring winners, there are six belt buckles (junior, intermediate and senior grand and reserve champs) as well as awards for showmanship and a premier exhibitor award.
Any youth can compete at the events but to qualify for season-end honors, he or she must be a member.
That, however, is not a big deal. For only $5 in-state kids can join and it’s only $10 for out-of-state memberships. On top of becoming eligible for awards, each youth member gets an Eastern Kansas Swine Show Series t-shirt.
Entry fees at the shows are $11 per pig or $16 for late, same day, entries.
More information on the series can be found at www.easternkansasswineshowseries.com, on www.thepigpage.com under shows or by calling Nancy McDougal at 913-683-1023.
Or, McDougal says, interested persons can contact any board member. They include Jack Davis and Darren Hibdon, Franklin County; Jeff Gillespie, Anderson County; Doug and Denise Queen, Shawnee County; Eddie Woods, Lyon County; Alan Holmes, Coffey County; Becky Hendrickson, Miami County, and Duane Spencer, Linn County.
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