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The first ever Thurston County Youth Exposition and Jackpot at was held at the fairgrounds in Lacey on Saturday, April 25.
The two-day expo was meant to serve as the agricultural equivalent of spring training to provide young people throughout the region with educational clinics and a competitive platform to showcase livestock and refine showmanship skills ahead of the summer fair season.
“The Expo is all about creating a pipeline for success,” said Thurston County Fair Board member and the event’s volunteer lead planner Lance McElroy. “It presents a unique opportunity for kids to learn the ropes, get their animals comfortable in a show environment, and really get ready for the Thurston County Fair. We want them to walk into the ring this summer feeling prepared, capable, and excited.”
County officials say creating a path from youth training to the ag marketplace is the cornerstone of a larger economic development play. By leveraging the new $1.25 million agriculture center at the County’s fairgrounds — funded by state and federal grants last year and slated for construction this year — the county said it hopes to position the community to compete for a larger share of the state’s $14 billion ag industry.
“Livestock drives about $4.5 billion statewide, and here in Thurston County livestock and poultry make up nearly 80 percent of all ag sales,” said Chair of the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners Tye Menser. “Developing local talent and providing a year-round venue for training and market days is a strategic economic investment that doubles down on our strongest asset. We hope our community will come out to the Fairgrounds to support these young agriculturalists.”
