The Pike County Steer and Heifer Show will celebrate its 70th year Saturday at Cattleman Park and past and present participants will be the honored guests.

Grant Lyons, Pike County Extension coordinator, said the 2012 steer and heifer show is a milestone event and will be celebrated as such.

“At 70 years, the Pike County Steer and Heifer Show is one of the longest running shows in the state,” Lyons said. “That is testimony to the rich heritage and tradition of the show and the strong 4-H and agricultural programs that we have in Pike County. It is also testimony to the leaders of those programs, the volunteers and the young people involved.”

Lyons said that raising show calves is a family venture.

“The young people who have raised show calves over the years — and there have been hundreds of them — have had the support of their parents and often other family members,” Lyons said. “That says a lot about the commitment to family and the work ethic of the people of our area.

“We want to recognize and show our appreciation to those who have been a part of the Pike County Steer and Heifer Show over the years. So we are extending a special invitation for them to join us for the hamburger supper at 5 p.m. Saturday at Cattleman Park and then to stay and see the show.”

The 70th Annual Pike County Steer and Heifer Show is open to the public and those who attend are invited to “supper.”

“It would be very helpful in planning the burgers, if those who know, for sure, they are coming would call the extension office at 334-566-0985 and let us know.”

The steer and heifer show will get underway at 6 p.m. but the kids and their families will arrive at Cattleman Park shortly after lunch.

“We invite the public to come and watch as the calves are prepared for the show,” Lyons said. “It’s interesting to see everything that has to be done before the calves go into the ring. These young people and their families have spent almost a year working with these calves and they all do an incredible job. The steer and heifer show is a culminating event and we hope to have a large crowd out to support these young people.”

Lyons said raising a show calf hones a young person’s leadership and work skills.

“I hate to keep using the word, testimony, but the 70th Annual Pike County Steer and Heifer Show is testimony to the past efforts of so many and is the base on which we will continue to maintain a strong steer and heifer program for the youth of Pike County.”

Exhibitors in this milestone year will be Matt Barron, Goshen; Joshua Graham, Tennille; Morgan Graham, Tennille; Colton Johnson, Little Oak; Katelyn Johnson, Troy; Jonathan Thomas, Goshen; and Trent Thomas, Thomas.