Steers, lambs, goats, rabbits, chickens, turkeys and dairy animals all strutted their stuff with their 4-H member farmers Saturday at the Boulder County Fair, 9595 Nelson Road.

The young farmers were rewarded for their dedication to their animals at the junior market livestock sale. People from several local businesses and fair attendees went to the auction and made their bids as 4-H members showed off their livestock in the ring. The first animal to be sold was the grand champion market goat, who was claimed for $3,600.

“I think the most exciting part about it is watching the kids that have worked so hard get really great prices,” said John Herring, president of the Boulder County Fair Junior Livestock Sale Committee. “(They) get shocked by how much their hard work gets realized in the ring.”

Many of the animals are resold to the sale committee and donated to community causes. All of the poultry and one hog will go to Erie Community Food Bank, and two calves will likely be donated to Meals on Wheels locations in Boulder County.

Herring said he hoped to see around $250,000 raised through this year’s sale.“We’re going to raise the money directly for kids, for our scholarship program,” Herring said. “And then we’re probably going to end up putting between 5 and 10,000 pounds of meat in local charities’ freezers.”

Julia Ruddick, the owner of this year’s grand champion breeding pig, has previously sold seven animals at the junior market livestock sale. After each sale, she writes her buyers a thank-you note.

“It’s a different experience every year,” Ruddick said. “You meet a lot of new people.”

Addison Caldwell, 15, is in her second year of 4-H. Her lamb, James, won grand champion in the market heavyweight category thanks to his big, muscled body.

“It’s cool to see them come so far,” Caldwell said of her animals. “Once you get to fair, it’s almost like they’re your children.”

Caldwell said that even though selling James at the auction has been her ultimate goal for months, it’s still hard to say goodbye.

“No matter how hard you try, you’re going to get attached to them,” she said. “But you know this is the next phase of their life.”

Jett Hinze, 18, won this year’s grand champion market prize with his steer, Ludacris. He said his win came down to the time he spent with Ludacris in the barn every day.

Saturday marked Hinze’s last time participating in the junior market livestock sale as a 4-H member. Having sold plenty of animals before, he said he has gotten used to the process by now.

“You just tell yourself that you’re excited for the next year of doing it, which is kind of what makes this year the saddest,” Hinze said.

Longmont 4-H member Madeline Bennett, 11, took home first place in the intermediate division for beef showmanship with her calf, Lotto.

“He’s probably the nicest calf here,” Bennett said. “I don’t really want to let him go. He’s my baby.”

4-H members are encouraged to connect with potential buyers and spread the word about their animals in preparation for Saturday’s sale. Bennett said she sent lots of emails and visited local businesses, including The Mountain Fountain in Hygiene.

Bennett said she likes seeing so many people and groups support agriculture.

“The big thing is making sure that the county is the best it can be,” Bennett said. “That’s my goal.”