Mother Nature wasn’t too kind to the Tehama District Fair this year as royalty had to hold down their crowns among gusting winds and the day of the Jr. Livestock Auction was pouring rain.
However, the weather didn’t stop fair-goers from attending the May 2-5 event, which featured the traditional fare, including live entertainment, concerts, carnival rides, food, vendors, exhibits, contests, animals, clowns, derbies and more.
The fair’s royalty was crowned on May 2 during the Miss Tehama Scholarship Pageant.
There were two contestants vying for the title of Miss Tehama County – Brooke Shackleford and Aliana Galvan.
Before judges Kathy Patterson, Kris Cunningham and Abby Zuppan, the girls competed in personality, stage presence, poise, talent and communication.
During her talent portion of the contest, Shackleford did a fantastic job keeping her composure and not missing a beat during her dance performance as her music kept cutting out. Galvan, who also danced, performed ballet folklorico in a colorful costume. Both girls did well answering impromptu questions asked by the event’s Mistress of Ceremonies Julia Silvera, 2019 Miss Tehama County.
The winner of the $1,000 scholarship and crown was Shackleford, 17, the daughter of Clinton and Siobhan Shackleford of Red Bluff. Crowning Shackleford was last year’s Miss Tehama County Claudia Wright. Shackleford is a senior at Red Bluff High School who plans on entering the police academy upon graduation.
Galvan was crowned first runner-up and received a $500 scholarship.
Quinn Bunison, who was the only contestant for the Jr. Miss Tehama County contest. She is the 12-year-old daughter of Adam and Alena Quinn.
Also crowned was Little Miss Tehama County Kenzie Kingsley who is 6-years-old and the daughter of Justin and Cassandra Kingsley.
Another highlight of the annual fair is the Jr. Livestock Auction, which this year saw a record number of 425 animals and youth handlers go through the auction ring. That number is 70 more than last year’s sale.
The impact of the increased number of animals was the average prices were down compared to previous years, however, the increase brought the overall total to $1.2 million, beating out last year’s total of $1,144,732, but not reaching 2022’s record of $1.3 million.
During the auction a silent moment was held in honor of longtime Tehama District Jr. Livestock Auction supporter Charlie Wright who passed away recently. Fair Manager Mandy Staley said not only did Wright bid on animals each year, he also came to the office after the sale to ask which livestock youth handlers needed support through add-ons if their animal didn’t get a high enough price.
“Charlie’s seat remains empty today and we miss him terribly,” Staley said. “His support for this event and our youth was priceless.”
The winners of the supreme championships in each class included Jayda Staley’s 1,400 pound market steer; Jayden Byrd’s 253 pound market swine; Macey Grissom’s 152 pound market lamb; Braxxton Byrd’s 89 pound market goat; Kalissah Villavicencio’s market rabbit meat pen; and Albert Alonso’s market poultry pen.
Corning FFA member Aubree Fox’s market swine won the FFA Champion title.
Following are the preliminary averages for the 2024 Jr. Livestock Auction with add-ons continuing to come in:
Market Steers: $5.17 per pound
Market Hogs: $9.92 per pound
Market Lambs: $14 per pound
Market Goats: $19.14 per pound
Rabbit Meat Pen: $697.38 per pen
Poultry Meat Pen: $923.18 per pen
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