The Park County Fair is a week full of events, culminating with something truly inspirational. 

The Junior Livestock Sale concludes the fair each and every year — but what is rather touching is its ability to unite the Big Horn Basin community. 

Each year the sale barn is filled with volunteers, buyers and most importantly youth exhibitors. 

The sale committee consists of president Joe Bridges, secretary Jennifer Triplett, treasurer Andrea Mehling, as well as many other volunteers, who spend lots of time making sure this event is worthwhile, Bridges said.

“It really is a year round operation,” he added, noting that  while the sale has undergone changes over the years, the committee is excited for a sale without many changes this year. 

Tasks such as working with several auctioneers, businesses, and livestock transportation companies are only a small sliver of what these volunteers assist with. 

Meanwhile the youth are trying to get top dollar for animals they’ve raised and spent money on for months. 

As always, pigs and goats are popular heading into the sale. Steer numbers have stayed consistent and while there has been a slight dip in steers, that doesn’t necessarily translate to a dip in registered kids. Steers come with the highest financial burden, he said, and he thinks some kids were maybe just tagging less steers.

This year has experienced some cooler weather than last year and while the lack of extreme heat has helped, “extremely cold temperatures early on,” has caused some adversity for the animals, who “don’t like big swings” in temperature, but it sounds like things are back on track, Bridges said. 

“My favorite part of the sale is seeing everyone on sale day,” Bridges said. “It brings the whole community together, and you get a chance to see people who are constant, and consistent supporters of the kids.”

Last year’s sale raised $602,200 for 264 local youth. Hogs and goats were the most popular animals to show, selling at an average of $8.86 per pound and $17.06 per pound, respectively.

Supporting the youth is the core of this event, and Bridges believes it is the end goal.

“The most important thing is that you’re there. Whether you’re getting something bought, or not, you’re there helping those kids,” Bridges said. 

While the auction is “100% live” those who cannot be at the sale and don’t have someone to bid for them are encouraged to contact Joe Bridges at 307-254-8996.

Add-ons, donations to support a showman or showwoman without buying the animals will once again be available online. 

The Park County Junior Livestock Sale will take place at 1 p.m. on July 26, in the sale barn on the Park County Fairgrounds.