Students flourish at Manatee County Fair steer shows

By Liz Ramos
| 7:30 p.m. January 13, 2024

Lakewood Ranch High School sophomore Camryn Shear has her steer hold its head up with pride during the auction.

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Lakewood Ranch High School sophomore Camryn Shear grabbed a blow dryer and started fluffing the hair of her steer, Yeti.

She was blowing off any shavings from Yeti, who was sitting in its stall waiting for the steer auction at the Manatee County Fair on Jan. 13.

Shear said Yeti is her favorite steer she's shown at the fair.

"He's just so sweet," she said. "He loves to show and always behaves well."

Shear and Yeti placed third overall in steer showmanship.

Kendall Huerta, a Lakewood Ranch High junior, appreciated the love and support she received as it was her first year showing a steer at the fair.

Huerta said it was sad to say goodbye to her steer at the auction, but she knew he served a purpose.

"After all the hard work and effort I put into him, I'm proud that I raised good quality beef for people in the county," she said.

The Manatee County Fair began its run Thursday and runs through Jan. 21. For more information about events and ticket prices, go to ManateeCountyFair.com.

Lakewood Ranch High School junior Kendall Huerta says she's received an amazing amount of support and love from people as she shows her first steer.

Isabelle Monroe, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, says she's spent her time at the fair with the people she loves most, making it a bittersweet final fair.

Lakewood Ranch High School sophomore Camryn Shear blow dries her steer so it's clean for auction.

Braden River High School senior Kenleigh Wagner prepares for her final auction at the Manatee County Fair. "It's pretty sad but also pretty sweet," she says.

Lakewood Ranch High School junior Kendall Huerta answers questions about her steer before the auction.

Lakewood Ranch High School's Alexis Rissler is the first to bring her steer to auction.

R. Dan Nolan Middle School sixth grader Ethan Snyder shows his steer, Waylon, in the ring. He won fifth overall in showmanship.

Abigail Bunyak with Myakka Agventures sells her steer for $5 per pound at the auction.

Mia Gorskey with Myakka Agventure is the Junior Steer Showmanship winner.

Parrish Community High School's Madison Moore walks her steer around the ring as it is up for auction.

Caden Cone with Myakka All Stock 4-H brings his steer into the ring. He was able to sell it for $5.25 per pound at auction.

A mini horse loves seeing all those who attend the Manatee County Fair.

Marc Dobson, the One Man Band, draws a small crowd as he performs.

People take to the skies on the swing ride.

Myakka City 2-year-old Emilia Arbelaez and 4-year-old Ian Arbelaez show off the prizes they won.

St. Petersburg 9-year-old Lainah Lamerson and Tiffany Pearson visit the Manatee County Fair. Pearson, who is originally from Palmetto, says she hasn't been the fair in 15 years.

Llamas are just some of the available animals to see at the Manatee County Fair.

Bradenton 5-year-old Frankie Kerney and 5-year-old Jacob Urzykowski laugh while feeding a llama.

The cooler temperatures don't stop people from attending the Manatee County Fair.

Sarasota's Helene Estomin makes her way to each goat with a handful of food. "I'm doing my best to make everybody happy," she says.

Sarasota's Steven Estomin feeds as many goats as he can.

The classic fair ride, the ferris wheel, is ready to go.

author

Liz Ramos

Managing Editor Liz Ramos previously covered education and community for the East County Observer. Before moving to Florida, Liz was an education reporter for the Lynchburg News & Advance in Virginia for two years after graduating from the Missouri School of Journalism.