The Milton-Freewater Junior Show runs May 10-12.

MILTON-FREEWATER — The Milton-Freewater Junior Show is full of kids, animals, contests, exhibits and lots of fun.

If you’ve never been to this 4-H and FFA fair, now is the time for the experience when young people from around the area bring their animals, exhibits and talents to the Junior Show Grounds on Friday, May 10, and compete with each other through Sunday, May 12.

The show grounds are located at 84487 Highway 11. Their lane is on the east side of Highway 11, straight across from Appleton Road, and runs along the north side of Bordertown Feed & Supply.

The schedule includes:

• May 10: Livestock judging contest, animal conformation showing, skills contests, and the tractor driving contest.
• May 11: Showmanship classes, 2 p.m. small animal all-around, and 6 p.m. all-around showmanship.
• May 12: 8:30 a.m. Animal Dress Up Parade, 9 a.m. awards program, and noon livestock sale.

For a detailed schedule and more information, go to the “Milton-Freewater Junior Show” Facebook page or to the website at mfjrshow.com

The Junior Show has enjoyed a long history in the community with the first livestock show held in connection with the Milton-Freewater Pea Festival in May 1948.

In 1960, they held their first fat livestock sale in the Mac-Hi Agriculture Shop.

In 1963, the show was moved to the Hoon Tract, which later became Shockman Field, the high school football and soccer field.

Later in the 1960s, land was purchased on the outskirts of town and the Junior Show was moved to its current location.

Youth in the area have tremendous support from their communities. It takes dozens of volunteers to run the show, and many sponsor the awards and trophies, along with businesses and individuals who purchase sale animals.

Thousands of dollars are donated each year by those who purchase steers and other animals, then turn them back to be resold to benefit the Junior Show.