The past two months have seen several Blanco FFA members do well at surrounding county fairs. In Johnson City, Blanco Jr. FFA member Kelton Marek won Grand Champion honors in the Blanco County Fair Steer Show with his Champion British steer. Kelton’s steer also won champion honors in the Hereford division. Others placing high included: Kolby Marek – Champion American and Champion Santa Gerturdis / Simbrah, Brenna Wallace – Reserve Champion American and Reserve Champion Santa Gertrudis / Simbrah, Hanna Garrett – Champion Brahman, James Leachman – Champion Simmental, Katherine Biggs – Reserve Champion Shorthorn, Carlin Green – Reserve Champion Chianina, and Austin Van Pelt – third place Brangus. In addition, Brenna Wallace also won the Jr. Showmanship Class followed by Asher Haack in second. There were 54 steers exhibited in this year’s show.

At Fredericksburg, exhibitors were able to compete in two different shows associated with the local fair. Prior to the actual fair itself, the Gillespie County Fair Association hosted the annual Race Day Classic. This year, more than 200 steers were shown. Kolby Marek led the way exhibiting the Reserve Champion Santa Gertrudis while James Leachman won reserve honors in the Simmental division. Kelton Marek also did well, placing first in the Polled Hereford class. Two weeks after the Race Day Classic, the actual Gillespie County Fair Show was held. This time, James took home the highest honors, winning Reserve Grand Champion. Others placing at the top of their respective classes included: Austin Van Pelt, Kelton Marek and Kolby Marek. There were 61 steers competing.

Finally, this past weekend proved to be the largest county fair steer show with over 275 head exhibited at the Medina County Fair in Hondo. Carlin Green and Kelton Marek brought home champion honors in the Limousin and Polled Hereford divisions respectively, while James Leachman exhibited the Reserve Champion Charolais and Simmental. Other high placings went to Katherine Biggs, Hanna Garrett, KolbyMarek, Asher Haack, Brenna Wallace, Emily Biggs, Carly Haack and Austin Van Pelt. Advisors for the Blanco FFA and Blanco Jr. FFA are Felice and Jason Marek.