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Joel Williams - Mar 25, 2026
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Shane Riley has worked with his heifer for about a year, preparing her for competition at the Walker County Fair. A senior at Huntsville High School, Riley splits his time working with his heifer, welding, playing baseball and getting ready to graduate.
Left Gio Garcia, middle bubba Moreno and Shane Riley, right Joel Williams. Took first place at royal high school build off back in December. These students and many more have worked on a trailer and other projects such as fire pit, grills and farm equipment to show at the Walker county fair this year.
It's that time of the year again. The Walker County Fair and Rodeo is coming up.
Students from around the Huntsville area not only show livestock, but they do agriculture and mechanical projects, make baked and canned goods, create art and woodworks. They do everything when the fair opens in Walker County each spring.
The long hours and preparation take a toll on the bodies of these young people. The work starts months, sometimes years, before the fair even rolls around.
“I have worked on my barrow (pig) every day after school to make sure he walks properly and I have continuously worked on the trailer every day during school,” senior Kadi Thorp said.
These kids are not new to this type of work. Senior Bubba Moreno has been working on fair projects since he was knee high to a
grasshopper. He isn't thrilled about his fair days coming to an end soon.
“Showing means a lot,” Moreno said. “I've done it since I was in seventh grade and it sucks that it is coming to an end.”
The students who show are not here to play around. Shane Riley enjoys the competition.Riley is showing a heifer and competing in the
agriculture mechanical competition with his box blade.
“My goal is to win my class in the ag mech show and to keep New Waverly out of the top three spots of each division,” Riley said with confidence.
There’s a friendly rivalry between students at HHS and New Waverly High School that goes back five or six years. The Hornets would like to come out on top in 2026.
The work that gets put in behind the scenes doesn't get talked about much and the skills these students have to have is incredible, from fabricating and welding to knowing how to walk and show your livestock the right way.
“Showing gives me an opportunity to showcase my skills to people in the community,” Riley said.
These kids have put in lots of hard work, dedication, sweat and tears the past months to get ready for the fair, which kicks off with a parade on Thursday night.
From jackpots, major shows and build offs, this is their stage to show the community that the younger generation is still carrying the tradition of livestock and rodeo.
Come support these young adults and kids as they showcase their skills this year at the Walker County Fair and Rodeo.
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