Last year’s premium sale, freezer sale and donations to students amounted to more than $600,000, according to a press release. About 550 students will show off their projects and animals throughout the first week of February.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, participants will be allowed two guests for their show and the live auctions, and most events require attendees to wear wristbands to ensure the Exhibit Center does not exceed capacity limits. Areas will be sanitized between events.
Masks will be required indoors and outdoors. Food and drink are not permitted in the bleachers, but some concessions will be available in a closed-container, grab-and-go format.
“While some things may look a little different to keep all attendees safe, we anticipate the same pride and excitement once the students put on their blue and gold FFA jackets and step in the arena,” said Denise Kubecka, director of career and technical education, in a statement.
Buyers will be permitted to attend the Buyers’ Luncheon at Arnold Middle School on Feb. 6, and they can also access the live auction, freezer sale and silent auction, officials said.
Events will be livestreamed online, and some online bidding and purchasing options will be available starting Feb. 3. See the week’s full schedule below (* indicates events where wristbands are required):
Monday, Feb. 1:
- *Poultry at 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 2:
- Horticulture (closed judging)
- Ag Mechanics interviews at 4 p.m. (students only)
- *Rabbits at 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 3:
- *Goats at 6 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 4:
- *Lambs at 6 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 5:
- *Swine at 10 a.m.
- *Cattle at 6 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 6:
- Access to freezer sale and silent auction begins at 10 a.m.
- Buyers’ Luncheon at 11 a.m.
- Live Auction at 1 p.m.
