LOUDONVILLE — A livestock auction brought in the big bucks Saturday at the annual Loudonville Street Fair.
The auction recognizes the work young exhibitors put into raising and preparing their animals. Students sold steers, lambs and hogs in the fair’s livestock show.
The projects require months of daily care, patience and dedication before they ever step into the show ring.
Loudonville Street Fair Queen Rebekah Carroll knows the commitment and patience it takes. Carroll showed a lamb during this year’s fair and earned reserve grand champion and reserve heavyweight champion.
Carroll said the time needed to prepare an animal depends on the species. Steer projects can last about a year, while her lamb project ran from May through October.
Building a bond with an animal is one of the most important parts of the process, she said.
“When you first have them, you just need to be with them all the time,” Carroll said. “You need to have them comfortable.”
As the animals become more comfortable around their handlers, exhibitors can gradually build trust through regular contact and care.
Carroll said she named her lamb Taco. The lamb lived alongside a female llama she named Belle, giving them the playful nickname “Taco Belle.”
Earning Reserve Grand Champion and Reserve Heavyweight Champion made the months of work feel rewarding.
“It’s just very rewarding at the end of the day,” Carroll said.
Her role as fair queen has also given her opportunities to attend community events and represent the fair throughout the week.
Carroll said she enjoys meeting people and talking with community members. She also emphasized the importance of showing pride in the fair and the community that supports it.
Carroll saw the Loudonville pride with students spending months preparing their animals, while families, advisers and volunteers help make the projects and the fair possible.
The 2026 Loudonville Street Fair comes to an end this Saturday evening.
2026 Loudonville Street Fair livestock champions
Market Steers
- Grand Champion and Middleweight Champion: Finn Butler ($10 per pound).
- Reserve Grand Champion and Heavyweight Champion: Logan Finley ($6.50 per pound).
- Lightweight Champion: Iva Spreng ($6.50 per pound).
- Reserve Lightweight Champion: Elliott Strouse ($5.50 per pound).
- Reserve Middleweight Champion: Helaina Gray ($7.50 per pound).
- Reserve Heavyweight Champion: Kaytelyn Endslow ($5.50 per pound).
Market Lambs
- Grand Champion and Heavyweight Champion: Aubrey Fenton ($30 per pound).
- Reserve Grand Champion and Reserve Heavyweight Champion: Rebecca Carroll ($21 per pound).
- Lightweight Champion: Finn Butler ($20 per pound).
- Reserve Lightweight Champion: Sophia Ringler ($12 per pound).
- Middleweight Champion: Savannah Fenton ($15 per pound).
- Reserve Middleweight Champion: Hannah Endslow ($11 per pound).
- Rate of Gain Champion: Yetzael Gutierrez ($12 per pound).
Market Hogs
- Grand Champion and Class D Champion: Kaceton Portz ($30 per pound).
- Reserve Grand Champion and Class A Champion: Reid Coleman ($15.50 per pound).
More photos below from the street fair and livestock auction:
