Youth Fair slated for Saturday, May 17

The 53rd Annual Youth Fair will take place this Saturday, May 17, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fallbrook High School. The event, sponsored by the Optimist Club of Fallbrook, will include a livestock show, the Ruth Souza Memorial Unity Softball Game, an FFA plant sale, still arts show, booths and great food.

The day will begin at 8 a.m. with FFA Market Swine Showmanship and Market goat conformation and showmanship at the Ag Department. The 4-H swine showmanship and 4-H sheep will begin at 9:30; then the 4-H dairy goat and pygmy goats will start at about 11:30. Market beef will begin after all of the pigs are shown.

In the afternoon, Master Showmanship will begin immediately after the last class of market beef. At approximately 2 p.m. little ones take the stage to show swine in the pee wee showmanship. Younger siblings of FFA and 4-H exhibitors look forward to their chance to guide the pigs around the show ring. The awards will begin when all of the judging has finished and it will include master showmanship results, chicken parade, the “Kiss the Pig” contest and the FFA beef raffle.

This year’s “Kiss the Pig” contestants are representing nonprofit organizations: Steve Achard, Fallbrook Village Rotary; Wanda Jordan, Eastern Star; John Hubert, Reche Club; John Waugh, Fallbrook Vintage Car Club; Scott Duffin, Ag Boosters; Frank Russell, Fallbrook Food Pantry; and Patrick Rogers, Fallbrook 4-H. As in the years past, it costs $1 to vote for your favorite person to kiss the pig.

The swine group fundraiser will earn money to pay for bedding costs at the San Diego County Fair. The person with the most votes will be honored by being kissed by a local swine.

How is this facilitated? Each contestant puts a marshmallow into his mouth and the winner will lean down so that the pig can eat the marshmallow; thus, “the kiss.” Usually it is very enjoyable for the audience and the pig!

Community members can support kids in 4-H, FFA and Grange at this local event. Tickets for the beef raffle and “Kiss the Pig” contest will be on sale at the Youth Fair. Plants grown by FFA members will also be offered for sale at the event.

Some of the booths at this year’s Youth Fair will include: ASB, a signup for youth soccer, a fire-pro booth, cheer booth and many more. Come and see what is new in many clubs and help them in their endeavors.

Breakfast is available starting at 7 a.m., followed by hot dogs, hamburgers, BBQ beef sandwiches, desserts, ice cream, nachos and a tri-tip dinner later in the day. There will be plenty of food so show up hungry!

Don’t miss the still arts show. As usual, there will be artwork from many youth in the community and entries from 4-H projects, including display boards from the 4-H reptile group.

While the Youth Fair takes place, so will the Ruth Souza Memorial Unity Softball Game on the Ivy High School field beginning at 10 a.m. There will be food and more at this great event.