Despite the most recent uptick with COVID-19, the Pottawatomie County Junior Livestock Trophy Auction and Pig Roast will go on again this year. It will be the same time it’s always held, the first Monday of February, and the location is the same as a year ago.
It’s scheduled for Monday, Feb.7, beginning at 6:30 p.m. and will be held at the Fire Lake Arena on Hardesty Road.
Suzanne Gilbert, who is chairperson of the Pottawatomie County Junior Livestock Show, explained that while the Pig Roast and Trophy Auction again is being held at the Arena rather than the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center, the Junior Livestock Show itself will be held at the Expo Center March 1-4 with the Premium Sale that Friday evening.
Last year’s Premium Sale brought more than $220,000, she said.
This is the 85th consecutive year for the show. Even though management of the Expo Center is in the hands of Spectra, the PCJLS is considered one of the Legacy Events that is protected and will continue to be held at the Expo Center.
Due to COVID, though, there have been some changes instituted for the Pig Roast and Trophy Auction like there were a year ago.
Suzanne said the Arena will have pods set up of table and chairs so people can social distance with their group.
And if people do not want to eat at the Arena, they can come by and pick up to go meals with their tickets.
There is no live auction this year. However, there still will be a silent auction, outstanding entertainment and a great meal whether you and your friends want to eat it there or just pick it up and take it with you, she noted.
Because of COVID, the PCJLS committee again became creative and those who participated in the live auction at the Pig Roast two years ago have been contacted about doing the same like they did year last year without having to be present.
Suzanne indicates that is going well, too.
Last year, the event raised around $50, 000 Suzanne said.
That was a $5,000 increase over the previous year. The funds raised in the Pig Roast and Trophy Auction are used to purchase trophies and jackets, promote the livestock show and strengthen the Premium Auction.
It takes a lot of people to put on the Pottawatomie County Junior Livestock Trophy Auction and Pig Roast each year along with the livestock show.
It takes the dedication of PCJLS Committee members and a host of volunteers to make the show the success it is each year.
In addition to Suzanne, committee members include Randy Gilbert, PCJLS Event chair, Gina Rounsaville, treasurer, Jeff Craig, Shawn Fleming, Trent Boles, Rickey Thompson, Josh Goodson, Matt Griffith, Jeremy Frye, Seth Kline and Brent Dugan, Mackenzie Spisak, Tim Underwood, and Tia Rozell.