Benton Franklin Fair livestock auction goes virtual during pandemic

4-H and FFA exhibitors and livestock bidders gathered at the Benton County Fairgrounds on Friday for the annual livestock auction that’s normally held annually during the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo.

This year it looked markedly different because of the coronavirus pandemic.

More than 400 youngsters raised animals to bring to the market sale but not all of them were at the fairgrounds for Friday’s auction. Social-distancing and event guidelines limited the number who could attend.

Also, the pigs, cows and other animals were not paraded in front of the auction block during the bidding. Photos were displayed instead on a screen as the bidding took place.

The Fair and Market Stock Committee created other ways for the community to support this year’s participants in light of the unprecedented circumstances.

People who didn’t want to buy an animal but wanted to support the exhibitors could add to a specific child’s earnings or donate to the Youth Livestock Booster Fund where donations will be pooled and used to increase the final earnings of lower-selling animals.

The total raised at Friday’s event was not immediately available.