Tips for Attending a Junior National Show

June is officially here, which means families across the country are gearing up to attend junior national shows across the United States! Junior national season is an exciting time of year, and it showcases some of the best parts of our industry. It's where friends and family from all across the country join together to show their favorite breed of cattle, catch up with old friends, make new ones, and compete at the highest level. Whether you are a first-year attendee, or a seasoned pro...we think this list of tips for attending a junior national show has something on it that everyone can learn from. Check out our tips below!

Get involved with contests

Cooking contests, quiz bowl, livestock evaluation, team sales talk, photography, speeches, and more! Many junior national shows host contests throughout the week of the show for exhibitors to compete against other states in various areas. Some are individual competitions, others are teams, and some are submitted during the weeks leading up to the show. Check with your state organization and the respective national breed associations for more information!

Bring snacks, crockpot meals, and coolers for the stalls!

It's always good to support the local food trucks and vendors at the shows, but a little variety is nice too! Make sure to pack your favorite snacks and drinks into bags and coolers to enjoy during your down time at the stalls. Larger groups might also benefit from bringing small refrigerators or crockpots with meals in them for everyone to share. Coordinating with other families helps to reduce cost of meals as well!

Dress up for opening ceremonies, including props!

Many junior national shows have different themes each year, and opening ceremonies are a great place to show your junior national spirit! Fun hats, costumes, posters, and other on-theme props are great ideas to carry with you and the rest of your state during opening ceremonies. Bonus points for a state flag!

Don't forget the health papers, registration papers and other important documents

This one is pretty self-explanatory! Of all the things to pack - make sure you have your registration papers and health papers to avoid stress and a headache at check-in.

Bring decks of cards and games to play

There's lots going on during the week of the show, but if you have a little downtime - card games, corn hole, wiffle ball, etc. are great ways to get a group together, make friends with the people stalled near you, and have some fun!

Visit people from other states and make new friends

Get out of your comfort zone, walk down the barn aisle, and talk to someone new! You never know what lifelong friend, business partner, mentor, future husband/wife and more could be sitting in a lawn chair just down the aisle from you. (Spoiler alert - this goes for junior exhibitors AND adults alike!)

Junior national shows are about showcasing animals at the highest level, but there is so much more to them than that. Get involved with your state organizations, enter the contests, meet new people, and learn about the breed. The show ring is important, but it isn't the only thing!

Good luck to ALL junior national exhibitors from your friends at Cattle Visions :)