WINNIE, Texas — The Texas Rice Festival in Winnie is in full swing and right now young Southeast Texas showmen are getting ready for their big moment.
Students across the area will be showing off nearly 500 cattle, sheep and goats. The Texas Rice Festival livestock show has been a long-running tradition for the past 55 years.
Whether they're new to the game or already seasoned competitors, all of the young farmers are making final preparations after months of hard work.
For 13-year-old Layton Phend, wrangling his cow, Roxy, is just another day in the office. He's been showing livestock for the past four years.
"It's fun! I get to meet new people!" said Phend.
Phend's grandmother Rhonda Derouen says he's gotten accustomed to the amount of care, attention, and hard work it takes to raise the best in show.
"There are so many opportunities in the agricultural field, scholarships and stuff they can get later on," Derouen said.
This year's show marks the second time Roxy has been in the spotlight.
"We sold her, but we bought her back. And he has the opportunity to show her again this year. We show, to make a little bit of money!" said Derouen.
For Barber's Hill student Cora Yepez, there's a first time for everything.
"I love animals, so it was pretty easy for me to get in to!" Yepez said.
Yepez is the first in her family to show cattle. She says the responsibility and dedication it takes for her and Maple to take the stage has helped them both grow over a long 17 months.
"I have become more responsible. I have to go out there winters, nights, raining, anything and that's just teaching me how I need to take care of her. Every morning and night," said Yepez.
As the big show draws near, the young farmers continue to work hard into the night in hopes of getting big funds for bright futures
"Just work with my cows. Feed them, water them," said Phend.
"I'm really excited about just going in front of the judge and seeing what he or she thinks of her and giving me different perspectives if I need to work harder or train her more and it gives me that goal!" Yepez said.
Judging is set to begin Saturday, October 5 at 8:30 a.m. so be sure to go out and show your support!
The festival continues through the weekend.