Anyone who attended the Colusa County Fair Jr. Livestock Auction over the years heard a familiar voice over the loudspeaker in the TK Marshall Arena.
Not a livestock auction would go by without a reminder from Robert “Bob” Vierra to the exhibitors to get their picture taken after their animal’s sale.
Vierra served on the 44th District Agricultural Association for eight years, taught agriculture education at Orland High School for 33 years, and was the longtime livestock show announcer.
“Bob was an ardent family man and a longtime supporter of the Colusa County Fair,” said Dan Bailey, Fair Foundation president.
The Colusa County Fair Foundation dedicated the 2023 livestock auction to Vierra, and announced the proceeds from the Parent Showmanship, held June 7 as a pre-fair event, will go to build the Bob Vierra Memorial Sale Announcer Stand at the fairgrounds.
Proceeds from the 2022 Parent Showmanship were used to build the new auctioneer’s stand, which was put in use this year, Bailey said.
Vierra grew up in Maxwell. He was a rice and almond farmer, but also raised sheep and pigs.
He died on Feb. 7, 2023.
The Parent Showmanship is not the Fair Foundation’s main fundraiser, but adds to the fun of the livestock show by having parents taking a comedic turn around the arena with a pig raised by youth in the community.
Tom Stephens, of Williams, hammed it up for the judge this year by donning an inner tube and a fake tan to win the 2023 event and a belt buckle.
He is the father of Jr. Fair Board member Jordyn Stephens, who sold her market hog at the livestock auction on Saturday.
The event also hosted a Pee Wee Showmanship for tiny tikes who may someday enter the ring with a hog of their own.
Little Lorenzo Benitez entered the arena in a black cowboy hat to win the Pee Wee competition and a belt buckle. ■