Area residents turned out in droves to celebrate the grass cattle industry as part of the 32nd annual Flint Hills Beef fest at the Lyon County Fairgrounds on Saturday.
Activities started bright and early with the ranch horse competition, live stocker show and Ag Olympics. Then it was time for the annual free burger feed, with the Beef Fest providing the burgers and KVOE providing the cooking manpower. Program Director Scott Hayes:
After lunch, the junior ranch rodeo was the main event. Then it was on to the steak dinner before comedian John Wesley Austin kept a packed crowd in stitches — in this case, talking about mobile homes.
Live music by Flat Land Cavalry closed down the night along with square dancing from Bluestem Swingers.
The Beef Fest’s annual awards were announced shortly before the steak dinner. A&A Cattle of Emporia won grass futurity for heifers, followed by Loomis Ranch of Council Grove and Haun Ranch of Fall River. Loomis Ranch took first and second in grandstand, followed by Spring Creek Ranch of Cassoday. For steers, G&J Meats of Leroy won grass futurity, followed by Meats Farms of Leroy and Matt and Stacie Horton of Council Grove. G&J Meats won grandstand, with Mike and Tammy Darbyshire of Hartford second and Arndt Farms of Emporia taking third.
Beef Fest concludes Sunday with the annual golf tournament.
Photos by Chuck Samples/KVOE News
{gallery}Beef Fest Burgers Aug 18 2018{/gallery}
