Three men who combined have 160 years of service were awarded Lifetime Supporter belt buckles commemorating over 40 years each of dedicated service to the Brown County Youth Fair.

Putter Jarvis, Delton Sweatman and Bill Stewart were awarded custom made belt buckles Tuesday evening by the Brown County Youth Fair Association.

Each year, kids from across the county come to show the animals that are the results of months of hard work and dedication in hopes of making the annual premium sale.  This year, those that did were part of a record breaking year.

Not only did the Grand Champion steer bring a record bid of $10,500, but the buyers themselves broke a total record bidding over $259,000, according to Board of Directors member Gaylan Miller.  Official totals will be available toward the end of the week.

Overall grand and reserve champions in the livestock division brought in premiums totaling $39,200, which was approximately twice as much as the previous year.  Overall home economics champions brought in premium totals of $8450 for their clothing, foods and crafts projects.

Known by its catch phrase “Feels Like Home,” the Brownwood area often lives up to what that means by helping those in need, and Saturday night was no exception as buyers raised one little girl’s bid to $8100 when they learned of her medical condition and financial needs. 

Paige Florence, 12, of Mullin had placed 9th out of 20 and was excited to be entered into the sale.  According to her mother Michelle Florence, Paige was diagnosed about 5 years ago with a rare form of juvenile arthritis, Eosinophilic Fasciitis, which is a condition where her white blood cells attack the lining of her muscles causing contractions of the muscle at the joints.  It also causes a scleroderma effect, hardening of the skin from the inside out.  Paige has spent the past 5 years receiving treatments at no cost from the Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas, about half of that time she was involved with inpatient treatment.  Because of the treatment and care that Paige has received from the Scottish Rite Hospital at no cost and the time she has spent there, she decided to give 20% of her sale premium back to the hospital as her own donation.  By giving the auctioneer, Keith Hetzel a note she felt she might raise her bid to possibly $500 total; however, that was not the case.

A new show division, Ag Mechanics, was added to the Brown County Youth Fair in 2012 and was a great success with 5 schools represented and 14 projects entered.

Taylor Roberts and Blake Standbridge of Bangs FFA earned the Grand Champion and Showmanship ribbons along with a box full of prizes for their camouflage picnic table.  (Pictured above, left to right are Roberts and Standbridge)

The 2012 Brown County Youth Fair came to a close on Saturday night with the crowning of this year’s Miss Brown County Fair Association and the annual premium auction, but in the midst of the closing events was a special recognition for a lady who has had an impact on the youth fair for the past half-century.

Joyce Parker was recognized for the years of work and dedication she had at the Brown County Youth Fair and the community.  Although she passed away in August of 2011, her influence is felt and will continue to be felt at the youth fair for years to come.

The final day of the 60th Brown County Youth Fair was full of activity including the horse show, loading up animals, naming the Miss Brown County Fair Association, and the main event - the awards and premium auction.

This year a new event was added on Saturday, Ag Mechanics.  Projects included woodworking, welded projects and even a greenhouse.

After the morning horse show, the work began.  The show arena had to be cleared of all the wood shavings, swept and decorated for the big night.

The 2012 Brown County Youth Fair Premium Auction got underway Saturday night, ending a very successful week of shows and setting an all-time record bid amount of $10,500 on the Grand Champion Market Steer.

According to Brent Mosley, a member of the Brown County Youth Fair steering committee, last year brought in $192,000 in auction premiums and this year was well on its way to their goal of $200,000 in premiums to be paid.

As the annual Brown County Youth Fair premium sale got underway, Ashley Garrett was crowned the 2012 Miss Brown County Fair Association Saturday night.  Although five other girls worked very hard, competing since September 28th when the contest began, only one could be crowned.  Garrett is pictured above with her parents, David and Terri Garrett and her sister Samantha.

The horse show began the final day of the 2012 Brown County Youth Fair.  Mares and Geldings and their owners were looking their best as they entered the show ring.  Although many of the horses “behaved a little unique, all of the entrants did an excellent job” according to the judge, Jan Weise of Rising Star.