AUSTIN, Texas — It’s once again time for show cattle, goats, lambs and swine to hit the arena for the Travis County Youth Show.
The Travis County Youth Show (TCYS) started as just the Travis County livestock show back in 1938. In 2005, the competition turned it into what it is now, as a youth fair with about 400 animals.
This weekend, children from Travis County will be showing their animals in poultry, goat, lamb, heifer and steer, and even rabbit shows.
Last year, the event raised $700,000 for the children just through the auction, which is the most money made in the history of the show. Over the last 20 years, it has awarded more than $9.3 million to Travis County youth.
But what’s special about this show is that it’s focused on building character and future leaders through the skills they use to compete.
“These kids get out here, and they’re basically just starting their little business,” TCYS director Harold Stone said. “They do record keeping, they learn about financial literacy, all kinds of things, about responsibility and how to take care of an animal.”
The TCYS also supports 40 Future Farmers of America (FFA) and 4-H clubs, and has provided more than 100 scholarships.
On Friday, the goat show starts at 9 a.m., followed by the lamb show at 1 p.m. The TCYS is also hosting a dance in the barn to kick off the weekend.
On Saturday, the swine start off the day at 9 a.m. with the heifers at 3:30 p.m., followed by the largest show, the steer, at 5 p.m. The competition will also be holding its 2nd Annual Cornhole Tournament starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Once every animal has been shown and the children awarded their prizes, the auction will take place in exactly one week. These children are hoping their animals can go at a high price so they can keep showing more animals in the future.
Stone said the show runs on unpaid volunteers, so they’re always looking for more to help. You can find more information about the show, including the full schedule, on the website.