(Deschutes County Youth Livestock Auction 4H member Grayson Hawkins | Photo courtesy of Deschutes County Youth Livestock Auction)
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic closing the Deschutes County Fair this year, local students involved in 4-H and FFA will still be able to sell their animals on Saturday, August 1.
Buyers are invited to participate and bid in person during the livestream sale at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in the Sisters Buildings. For buyers who are uncomfortable attending the event during the COVID-19 pandemic, an online option allows them to still participate.
“Bidding will occur in real-time with an on-site auctioneer,” said Deschutes County Youth Livestock Auction Chair Lance Hill. “This year, more than ever, it is important for us to come together as a community and support our youth who’ve invested hundreds of hours and dollars into raising their animals.”
The Deschutes County Youth Livestock Auction is working with the Deschutes County Health Department to meet the criteria from the state to have a safe event. The Auction will comply with state guidelines, and all attendees must wear a facemask.
Buyers who attend in person will enjoy a BBQ lunch and other hospitalities while viewing through livestream TV’s.
Hill encourages buyers to pre-register ahead of time at surveymonkey.com/r/2HSYK8L.
The doors will open at 9am, with the sale beginning at 10am. The sale will start with beef followed by sheep, small animals, goats and pigs. The livestream link will be provided prior to the event on the Deschutes County Youth Livestock Auction Facebook page at @DCYouthLivestockAuction and Instagram at @Des.Co.4-H/FFA Auction.
Last year’s record-setting sale brought in more than $1.5 million for over 400 local FFA and 4-H youth.
“I’ve been working with my goats since April, and I was afraid the auction would get canceled,” said 12-year-old Tumalo Hooves 4-H member Grayson Hawkins. “I’m really happy we will get to sell our animals.”
For more information about the sale and a link to the livestream, follow the Deschutes County Youth Livestock Auction Facebook page at @DCYouthLivestockAuction and Instagram at @Des.Co.4-H/FFA Auction.
