Fair sale tops last year

PORTALES — The Junior Livestock Sale at the Roosevelt County Fair edged last year's results in terms of total sales as 58 kids entered the show ring on Friday night and left with some well-earned cash.

Roosevelt County Junior Livestock Sale Committee Secretary Joy Levacy said Friday's sale total was $134,975, up from the $128,024 collected last year.

The highest sale belonged to Portales' Klayt Hamilton, 11, who's steer Waldo went for $8,000, which Klayt said he would put towards next year's animal.

Success at the fair runs in the family as Klayt's animal earned grand champion steer and champion county bred, the same accolades his older sister Falyn Hamilton achieved last year, though Klayt's sale netted an extra $750 than his sister's.

Wrapping up his second year of showing animals at the fair, Klayt said, "it's fun and it's worth it at the end."

Another family affair, Holly Bilbrey, 13, and her younger sister Hattie Bilbrey, 10, of Elida, both showed chickens on Friday with Holly bringing in $600 and Hattie earning $700, though Holly said there was not really a competition between the two.

Holly said her favorite part was "when they were little chicks and you get to watch them grow up," though she added it's not going to be too hard to say goodbye to the chickens following the show.

Ella Self, 14, of Portales, sold her rabbits for $750. Ella said she plans to use the money to do something with photography, perhaps starting her own business.

Ella was fortunate enough to have the rabbits donated back to her by the person who bought them.

"I'm super happy about it," she said.

Alyssa McAlister, 16, of Portales sold her lamb Rudy, named for his rude behavior at the beginning of the summer before getting to know his owner, for $1,750. Alyssa said she really enjoys getting to know the animals leading up to the fair.

"Every sheep and goat have different personalities so it's really fun getting to know them and loving them and then getting their trust. You learn more from them than they learn from you," Alyssa said.

"I used to not like sheep because I was like 'well they're stinky and mean' and now after I've had them I know they're really sweet and they all act differently."

Alyssa said it won't be easy to say goodbye to Rudy but it's the nature of the sale.

"I'm sad because you get really close to them during the year. I'm going to miss him but that's kind of the point of it," she said.