Some special people at the Inter-State Fair in Coffeyville got to do a special thing at the fair on Friday night.
The annual Buddy Barrow show took place, with 50 special needs adults matched up with a 4-H or FFA exhibitor.
The special people learned about their mentors’ pig, then showed that pig in the show ring.
A grand champion and reserve grand champion exhibitor were selected.
Martress was selected as grand champion, and Mikey was chosen as reserve champion.
Martess’ mentor was Colben Dodson from Cherryvale,and Mikey’s was Faith Swart-Woolman, of Vinita, Okla.
Mikey enjoyed working with Faith and her pig, named “Piglet,” but who Mikey nicknamed “Elvira” after the Oak Ridge Boys song. He won a buckle for his endeavors, which he was very proud of.
The clients from Class thoroughly enjoy the Buddy Barrow show, said Kelly Fincher, director of community relations and development. “They enjoy doing something they don’t always get to do,” she said. “It’s something different. A lot of them might never have been around animals, let alone farm animals, so it teaches them something they’ve never done before.”
For Fincher, who has brought clients to the show for several years, it’s one of her favorite events. “It’s one of my favorite things that we do,” she said. “People ask about it, from the start of the summer. And their smiles, from start to finish, they’re so excited about it.”
Both the champion and the reserve champion win buckles, of which they are very proud, Fincher said. “They carry it around everywhere, they’re so proud of it. (The show) is a confidence booster. It doesn’t matter if they win or lose.”
Each participant of the Buddy Barrow show received a t-shirt. The show was judged by Rocky Becker, agriculture teacher at Welch, Okla. Class Ltd. is sponsor of the show.
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Cutline: The champions pose with their mentors and their buckles. From left to right, Martress, grand champion and his mentor Colben Dodson, and Mikey, reserve grand champion and his mentor Faith Swart-Woolman. Photo by Kelly Fincher.
Cutline: Buddy Barrow participants and volunteers pose at the 2017 show held at the Inter-State Fair in Coffeyville. Photo by Kelly Fincher.
