Excitement is building as youth with the Ponoka District 4-H Beef clubs prepare to showcase their animals during the annual show and sale, set for May 5-6 at the Calnash Ag Event Centre.
"I know I have said this these past couple of years, but it has just been growing like crazy," said Patrick Lentz, president of the Ponoka District 4-H Beef Committee. The show and sale is made up of the Ponoka East Club and the Ponoka West Club.
"I think that a lot of kids come to see their friends at the event, and then they start to understand what it's all about. The next thing you know, they want to be a part of it!"
The event is broken down into a female show which runs on May 5 at 7 p.m. and two steer shows on May 6 (9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.)
"We are up to 67 steers. And on the female side, we have 17 to show for the Monday night," said Lentz.
Ultimately, awards are handed down within a range of categories, which recognize the youth for all of the hard work and dedication they have put in to prepare their animals for the event.
"It's a pretty big event to put on," said Lentz, adding that the community's support is essential to the event's success as well.
"We also have so many activities going on throughout the year, where they are giving back to the community by volunteering," said Lentz, who became involved with the local 4-H back in 2019. "Whether it be through highway clean-up. visiting seniors' facilities, or the Festival of Tress - things like that.
"You tie that all in with their public speaking exercises, and they are always going to be willing and wanting to interact with others."
He noted that all the responsibility that comes with caring for animals at a young age also helps to instill a confidence and strong work ethic in the youth as well.
"There is a lot of fun stuff, but there is also a lot of responsibility," he said, referring to the benefits of being part of the 4-H community.
As to the show and sale, Lentz said it also marks a superb opportunity for plenty of community connection. The event has a long history in the Ponoka community, going back to the 1950s. In the meantime, he couldn't be more proud of the hard-working youth, who commit a whole lot of time to caring for their animals in the months leading up to the show and sale.
"I love to watch the kids see all of their hard work pay off," he said.
"And that's not necessarily just the sale - but through being able to be (a part of) the show as well. We put a lot of effort into making the show as professional as we can.
"You start to see the kids make that extra effort with grooming and showmanship, and it's great to see them support each other, too. I used to be rodeo for years, and it's a very tight-knit family that supports each other, and you want each other to succeed.
"Personally, I also love it because I get to open the gate - I'm high-fiving the kids, and there is also a team of parents and people around us who are doing the same," he said, adding it's great to see the youth coming into the event perhaps a bit nervous but leaving feeling proud and fulfilled.
"We definitely want to see that."
For more about the local clubs, and the latest updates, follow the local 4-H beef clubs on Facebook.
