Courtesy photo Bridget Paidl and her steer, Bib are ready for the auction at the U.P. State Fair

ESCANABA — The UP State Fair is in full swing this week, and there are plenty of activities to choose from each day. A staple to the fair is back this year in the Junior Market Livestock Auction this Saturday, Aug. 17 starting at 11 a.m. in the Beef Barn.

Junior Market Livestock Advisor Lori Dalgord said there are 235 exhibitors this year at the fair. She said that the amount of exhibitors is about the same as in previous years.

The auction features animals such as goats, lamb, swine and steers that have been raised and tended to by young folks.

“It’s a lot of work,” Dalgord said.

This year, 2024 World Livestock Auctioneer Champion Wade Leist will lead the auction. Dalgord said they are thrilled to have him do the honors as he always does a great job for the exhibitors as well as the crowd.

Exhibitors vary in age from as young as 8 up to 19, depending on what animal they are bringing to the auction.

Many of the participants come from the 4-H program, including Charlee Klink.

Klink is coming back for her seventh year, and she can’t wait to show off her steer.

“I have been looking forward to it all year,” Klink said.

4-H is the largest youth development organization in the State of Michigan, teaching kids various skills and crafts, including raising livestock.

4-H Leader Laurie Hauswirth talked about the hard work the kids have to put in on her farm, saying they learn early on about making sacrifices.

“The kids are learning that having animals is a lot of work and it’s a lot of sacrifice,” Hauswirth said.

She explained that if an animal is sick, the caretaker will have to forgo other, maybe even more fun plans to ensure the animal is healthy and comfortable. This also includes cleaning their living environment

“The kids have to clean out their pins, very regularly. You don’t get to go hang out with your friends until after your animal’s pen is clean,” she said.

The kids certainly have to work hard year-round to raise a healthy show animal – often their favorite part of the process.

“A lot of kids really enjoy learning about how to actually show their animals at the fair,” Hauswirth said.

Klink echoed Hauswirth, saying it has been a hard but rewarding experience. She talked about raising her steer, Bentley, and how much she has learned throughout the process.

“Raising my market steer this year has been a great and fun opportunity. It taught me a lot about how much a steer can mean to a person and how much they can teach you about patience and learning new things can be hard but you just have to keep working at it and it gets easier,” Klink said.

Bridget Paidl is also bringing her steer, Bib, as well as other livestock. Bib was born on a family farm, so Paidl has spent a significant amount of time getting to know him.

“It’s a lot of repetition of doing the same scheduled things,” Paidl said.

Paidl is no stranger to the fair and she can’t wait for it to get here.

“I’m looking forward to it, it’s such a fun time at the fair. I enjoy going every year,” she said.

Isobel Miller is bringing her steer, Zeppelin, and said she is looking forward to the auction, but not to see Zeppelin go. Her steer was also born on a family farm, something she wants to do on her own in the future.

“I really hope to have my own farm one day,” Miller said.

She said that the process was fun but required a lot of hard work.

Kora Beaudo is bringing her lamb, Lilac, to the auction. Similarly to other exhibitors, Beaudo is looking forward to the auction, but not to say goodbye to Lilac. She added that she looks forward to the fair all year.

“It’s something that keeps me motivated throughout the year,” she said.

Be sure to stop by the live auction featuring animals raised by Klink, Paidl, Miller, and Beaudo, among others.

The auction takes place on Aug. 17 at 11 a.m. in the Beef Barn at the U.P. State Fair.