Clark County Fair to see big changes at animal auctions this year

Sydney Peters shows her Grand Champion Steer on the auction block Friday on the last day of the Clark County Fair. Bill Lackey/Staff

Sydney Peters shows her Grand Champion Steer on the auction block Friday on the last day of the Clark County Fair. Bill Lackey/Staff

For the first time, animals at the Clark County Fair will be sold on a single day at the inaugural Clark County Champion Showcase and Junior Fair Auction.

In previous years, animal auctions took place over three days. This year, the one-day auction will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 28, in the Expo Center.

RELATED: Mini indoor tractor pull makes debut at Clark County Fair

“The bottom line is, we’ve streamlined the process,” for both exhibitors and buyers, said Jeff Harvey, a broker and auctioneer at Harvey Plus. The company was contracted by the Clark County Fair Board to manage the livestock sale.

Animals in the champion showcase will be up for bid first. This will include grand champions, reserve champions and premier exhibitors — more than 60 animals total.

Other exhibitors who want to participate in the live auction will follow. Harvey, who has been an auctioneer at the fair for about 35 years, expects more than 150 animals to be sold during this part of the auction.

Exhibitors who choose to use a Multiple Buyer Form will bypass the auction. These forms allow more than one buyer to pledge an amount toward a specific project, with a $25 minimum.

“It’s really a community project,” Harvey said.

READ MORE: Clark County Fair offers lower price, more entertainment

The form, along with more information for buyers, exhibitors and parents, can be found at juniorfairauction.com.

The auction’s format change will support camaraderie among the buyers, said Harvey, who also said that Clark County has one of the largest junior fair auctions in the country.

“That’s what we have missed having a three-day auction,” he said.

Condensing the animal sales into one day is more than just efficient, said Dean Blair, executive director of the fairgrounds.

“This is an old-fashioned effort to get the companies to return and have some fun,” he said.

About the Author