Raising and showing animals is an educational process that many area students participate in. The Orange County livestock show and auction is one of the venues in which they participate.

The annual event is held for members of Orange County 4-H and local FFA members to show animals in a local environment.

Marie Kenney, the County extension agent covering 4-H, invited commissioners and the public to the show and auction scheduled Oct. 19-20, this week at commissioners’ court. The event will be located at the show barn located at 5319 Cohenour Road in Mauriceville, next to the fairgrounds.

Participants range from 9 years old through seniors in high school.

A rabbit and poultry judging show will be held Friday night starting at 6 p.m. Saturday the show will begin at 8 a.m. With swine judging followed by lambs and goats. A heifer show has been added for students from all over the region; no cattle will be for sale in the auction.

There will also be area vendors and a concession stand open. The Go Texas committee of Orange County will be hosting a barbecue cook-off on the fairgrounds. Judging will begin at noon with awards at two o’clock. The efforts fund scholarships for local students seeking agricultural degrees. The Go Texas team will be serving barbecue for the buyers’ dinner at five o’clock on Saturday.

Buying an animal gives a student money to fund future projects including purchasing an animal and feed. Kinney says a lot of responsibility goes into caring for these animals to get ready for a show.

“Showing an animal is a labor of love, as well as a learning experience for the whole family,” said Kenney.

Last week Madison Miller won best-of-breed for her burro at the Texas State fair which is going on now. “What’s even more amazing is going through all these livestock shows you never hear Orange County. It’s hard to win in a major show but our kids did it,” said Kenney. “We had people from all over come up to us and say we put Orange County on the map.”

The Orange County livestock Association is made up of volunteers and is a 501(3) (c) nonprofit organization.

Marie Kenney, left, is pictured with Lorn Little, Braydon Little and their father Joe Little. Braydon is currently showing a pig. RECORD PHOTO: Penny LeLeux