Kyler Storey of Palermo Grange (center) celebrates the sale of her Reserve Champion Market Swine to Rosser Enterprises, represented here by Levi Rosser (right). Photo by Seti Long

BUTTE COUNTY, CA (MPG) - The Butte County Fair returned this year promising to be a destination for family fun under director and CEO Matthew Reed.

Multiple grandstand events returned under Reed’s direction after falling off the fair’s schedule in past decades.

Thursday, Aug. 22, the grandstand arena filled for team roping under the new Mardesich-Becker Memorial moniker and Friday night, Aug. 23, nail-biting bronc and bull riding kept patrons on the edge of their seat. Saturday night, Aug. 24, multi-platinum selling band LANCO lit up the stage, rocking the stands with their blend of country music and Sunday, Aug. 25, concluded in smoke, mud and fire with the destruction derby.

The addition of new grandstand events to the 2024 lineup seemed to entice more attendees and was seemingly a hit with guests. Fair food, carnival rides and games drew others but the heart of the county fair revolved around the Jr. Livestock Auction.

Early in the week, FFA, Grange and 4-H members arrived at the fairgrounds, most with their animals already moved into their stalls. Weigh-ins and showing would take place throughout the week, leading up to the buyer’s breakfast and auction on Aug. 24.

Gridley Lions Club hosted a beer garden, setting up outside the animal barns to help auction attendees keep their bidding voices in check. From left are Grove and Mike Dahl, and Vern Hartman. Photo by Seti Long

The Aug. 24 morning was a flurry of activity as both youth and animals prepared to shine in the spotlight. This year, presenters represented clubs from Gridley FFA, West Gridley 4-H, Biggs 4-H, Biggs FFA, Manzanita 4-H, Las Plumas FFA, Palermo 4-H, Palermo FFA, Durham/Parkview 4-H, Durham FFA, Wyandotte Grange, Manzanita Grange, Durham Grange, Core Butte FFA, Chico Grange, Chico FFA, Pine Ridge 4-H and independent presenters.

Members of W. Gridley 4-H pass out complimentary waters at the Sale of Champions during the Butte County Fair’s Livestock Auction, held Saturday, Aug. 24. Left to right: Sisters Jazlyn, Alyssa and AnnaLee Zarate. Photo by Seti Long

Butte County Fair auction materials listed 289 participants in the Jr. Livestock Auction for 2024.

Presenters could be seen brushing and grooming their animals before entering the ring to sell their market animal by category. As the morning progressed, the time drew near for the Sale of Champions.

The Sale of Champions held in McClanahan Pavilion features the top-winning animals from each category shown at the Butte County Fair for sale; it is the cream of the crop.

Youth are rewarded for their months of hard work, selling their animals to the top-bidder and earning up to thousands of dollars and school/club credits for their animal projects.

The Herald has listed the names of the Sale of Champion participants and Champion animals below:

Butte County Fair Jr. Livestock Champion winners by project

Ag Mechanics: Austin Lafayette (Las Plumas FFA) - Grand Champion, David Salazar (Las Plumas FFA) - Reserve Champion, Blake Earley (Las Plumas FFA) - Grand Exhibitor.

Market Swine: Gracie Abruzzini-yost (Gridley FFA) - Grand Champion, Myli Benedict (Las Plumas FFA) - Grand Champion, Kyler Storey (Palermo Grange) – Champion, Levi Abruzzini (Manzanita 4-H) Reserve Champion.

Market Lambs: Aiden Amator (Independent) - Grand Champion, Raegan Johnson (Wyandotte Grange) - Reserve Grand Champion, Lily Vaughan (Las Plumas FFA) - Reserve Champion, Maclin Aschenbrener (Durham Grange) - Reserve Champion, 

Market Goat: Marli Benedict (Wyandotte Grange) - Grand Champion, Harper Johnson (Wyandotte Grange) - Reserve Grand Champion, Arianna Jensen (Las Plumas FFA)- Champion, Cale Wasilchen (Core Butte FFA) - Reserve Champion.

Market Steer: Saige Hutchison (Wyandotte Grange) - Grand Champion, Jaeda Flores (Las Plumas FFA) - Grand Champion, Ava Thompson (Palermo Grange) - Reserve Champion, Glory Richter (Las Plumas FFA) – Champion.

Market Turkey: Ryley Vanella (Durham FFA) - Grand Champion, Jonathon Gore (Durham FFA) - Reserve Grand Champion.

Market Rabbit: Aubrey Mangan (Gridley FFA) - Grand Champion, Sofia Perkins (Biggs 4-H) - Reserve Grand Champion, Reagan Witt (Gridley FFA) - Reserve Champion, Olivia Mattos (Manzanita Grange) - Reserve Champion.

Market Poultry: Rowan Turnquist (Durham FFA) - Grand Champion, Emily Hysmith (Independent) - Reserve Grand Champion.

Grand Champion Market Steer winner, Saige Hutchison, readies her prize cow for auction before entering the ring for the Sale of Champions. Photo by Seti Long