Despite 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 always is held, the first Monday of February, but it’s location has changed.
It’s scheduled for Monday, Feb. 1, but will be held at the Fire Lake Arena on Hardesty Road.
Suzanne Gilbert, who is chairperson of the Pottawatomie County Junior Livestock Show, explained to me the reason the Pig Roast and Trophy Auction is being held at the Arena rather than the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center.
“The Expo gave our date away for the pig roast so we’re having it at the arena.”
But let me point out, too, and make it perfectly clear that the Junior Livestock Show itself WILL be held at the Expo Center March 2-5 with the Premium Sale that final evening. Last year’s Premium Sale brought more than $200,000.
This is the 84th 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.
Because of the COVID, though, there have been some changes instituted for the Pig Roast and Trophy Auction.
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.
Because of COVID, the PCJLS committee became creative and those who participated in the live auction at the Pig Roast last year have been contacted about doing the same. Suzanne indicates that is going well, too.
Last year, the event raised around $45,000, Suzanne said. 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.
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 Rounsabille, treasurer, Jeff Craig, Shawn Fleming, Trent Boles, Rickey Thompson, Josh Goodson, Matt Griffith, Margaret Scallorn, Katie Miller, Jeremy Frye, Seth Kline and Brent Dugan.