“The pizzas are here, which is a good thing!” announced Dave Workman, who has worked for decades with Potomac Highlands youth in agriculture in different capacities. He served as the master of ceremonies for the 35th edition of the Barn Party.
One of the core missions of the Tri County Fair lies in preparing the next generation of agriculture in the Potomac Highlands. Kids from both 4-H and Future Farmers of America labor for months to prepare their cattle, sheep, and goats for show, submitting both the animals and their own skillsets for judging.
All that work certainly deserves a party!
On the last Friday of fair week, attendees filed into the barn for the midday festivities. Normally even with a legion of industrial fans blowing, the typical midsummer heat makes that time of day quite warm.
Not today. Brilliant blue skies with lots of bright sunshine came in with fairly mild low-80s temperatures, making the event almost as comfortable as if it had been air conditioned. Inside the show arena, kids, parents, and supporters came in to take their seats, with all the youth participants asked to sit on the west side of the venue for a preparty group photo.
After they took their seats, Workman shared that “I’ve been very fortunate to be able to help out here as an announcer . . . I’m thankful for that. Some of you are my third generation.” He explained “your grandparents, your parents, and you, I’ve had all of you at the Tri County Fair.”
That also illustrated the family ties that continue to bind competitors as they follow in their elders’ footsteps, raising some of the best quality livestock in the Eastern United States.
All that said, Workman reminded the youth that “it’s all about you today.”
With the pizza in place and the freshly cooked chicken still to come, Workman inquired who all had come for their first competition. Several raised their hands. “You have taken the first step of a wonderful journey,” he assured them.
When he asked which individuals were in their last competition before aging out, only a few raised their hands, which he noted as encouraging.
“This doesn’t just happen on its own,” added Workman, who then lauded the leadership and help of Mary Alice Ours over the decades. She played a huge part in making sure the Barn Party remains a great way to celebrate the work of the young farmers.
He then shared the words of a livestock judge that “there is nothing like being in the greatest industry in the world and the greatest nation in the world.”
After Allison Custer gave the mealtime prayer, saying “we thank you for your guidance, o’ Lord”, 4-H and FFA kids took their places in line and started loading their plates.
Competitors put tickets to the party in a bucket to be drawn for door prizes. They also marked ballots for competition purposes.
Dozens of local businesses, organizations, and individuals supported the Barn Party with “significant” support coming from Moorefield’s South Branch Stockyards, one of the most prominent cattle trading markets in the Eastern US.
All there understood that the party and all of the events surrounding youth in livestock have greater meaning than ribbons and awards. The fair competition develops skills and brings young people into the wider farming community, ensuring that the world’s most vital field of endeavor is in good hands moving forward.
As Workman said, the effort expended “is not a cost. It’s an investment.”
