HOOKSTOWN, Pa. – County fairs are known to be family oriented, but this year, the Hookstown Fair had special meaning for three Beaver County 4-H Stockmen’s Club families.
Dakon Moore, brother duo Eric and Ryan Jackson, and sister act Cheryl and Theresa Domitrovich dominated the top spots in market livestock competition.
Before severe thunderstorms swept across western Pennsylvania late Aug. 23, a sizable crowd had gathered in the arena to bid on all the projects, helping sale totals reach $82,742.48, topping last year’s total by more than $2,500.
Lambs. The Viti family, which has shown the grand or reserve champion market lamb since 1992, was ousted from the winners’ circle by the Domitroviches of Aliquippa.
Cheryl Domitrovich’s 133-pound grand champion sold for $7.50 a pound to Janoski Farm Country Restaurant.
Nine-year-old Theresa Domitrovich sold her 123-pound reserve champion project for $7 a pound to Unis Dental Associates.
In earlier competition, the two wethers had been named champion and reserve champion in the heavyweight division.
Champion lightweight honors went to Samantha Buffalini, and the reserve ribbon went to Jennifer Pavlik.
Champion mediumweight ribbon went to Chelsea Viti. Reserve mediumweight and rate of gain honors went to Theresa Domitrovich.
Cheryl Domitrovich took showmanship honors.
Thirty-seven lambs sold for $13,502.20, averaging $2.71 a pound with champions and $2.32 without.
Steers. In his first 4-H project year in 1994, Dakon Moore exhibited the reserve champion market steer.
Eight years later, he again found himself in the winner’s circle with both grand and reserve champion banners.
His 1,253-pound grand champion, also named champion in the judging division for all other breeds, sold for $3.25 a pound to Buck Stove and Fireplace, Monaca.
His 1,215-pound reserve champion steer, also Shorthorn champion, sold for $2.25 a pound to Hoss’s Steak and Seafood House.
In earlier judging, Molly Winkle won champion Angus honors; John Steiner, Hereford; and Brian Diamond, Maine-Anjou.
Reserve breed winners include Jason Heinlein, Angus; Eric Jackson, all other breeds; Alecia Ware, Hereford; Nikki Morgan, Maine-Anjou; and Amanda Heinlein, Shorthorn.
Steer showman was Jason Heinlein. Mark Jackson had the top rate of gain.
Twenty-nine steers sold for $48,600.78, averaging $1.36 a pound with champions and $1.17 1/2 without.
Hogs. In his last try at being top hog, 18-year-old Ryan Jackson of Clinton was held out of the winning spot by his 16-year-old brother Eric.
Ryan’s reserve champion hog was first named champion heavyweight, and Eric’s was champion mediumweight.
Sonny Janoski of Janoski’s Farm Country Restaurant continued his generosity when he bought Eric’s 242-pound grand champion for $7.75 a pound.
Pizzas by Marchelloni, with locations in New Castle and West Middlesex, bought Ryan’s 275-pound reserve champ for $5.25 a pound.
Ryan Jackson also took hog showmanship honors. Molly Winkle won the rate-of-gain competition.
Heather Marino raised the champion lightweight. Reserve class placings went to Mark Jackson, heavy; Courtney McLaughlin, medium; and Abby Atwood, lightweight.
Fifty-eight hogs sold for $22,444.35, averaging $1.63 a pound with champions and $1.41 without.
Scholarships. Thirteen animals were donated back for resale with proceeds earmarked to benefit the county scholarship fund.
Bidders helped add $1,800 to the fund.
(You can contact Andrea Myers at 1-800-837-3419, ext. 22, or by e-mail at amyers@farmanddairy.com.)
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