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Hays County youth livestock show to top $1M at auction
More than 400 youths show animals at the Hays County Youth Livestock Show; Saturday auction expected to raise over $1 million.
Published January 20, 2026 at 7:44pm by Jay Janner
The Hays County Youth Livestock Show features more than 400 participants, ages 5 to 18, exhibiting rabbits, chickens, pigs, sheep, goats and cattle. It concludes Saturday with an auction expected to raise more than $1 million for participating youth.
Marley Dionne, 17, of Buda, snuggles her goat, Iris, at the Hays County Youth Livestock Show at Dripping Springs Ranch Park in Dripping Springs on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. The youth show began in 1946 to provide educational opportunities through competitive livestock and agricultural projects.
Children participate in the market goat show at the Hays County Youth Livestock Show at Dripping Springs Ranch Park in Dripping Springs on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.
Whitley Henry, 6, of Dripping Springs, shows her goat, Buttermilk, at the Hays County Youth Livestock Show at Dripping Springs Ranch Park in Dripping Springs on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.
Ruby Vance, 15, left to right, Jewel Lock, 16, and Morgan Smith, 16, all of Wimberley, gather near a heating lamp during a break from the market goat show at the Hays County Youth Livestock Show at Dripping Springs Ranch Park in Dripping Springs on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.
Alice Woolery, 17, of Kyle, prepares to show her goat, Texas Red, at the Hays County Youth Livestock Show at Dripping Springs Ranch Park in Dripping Springs on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.
Audrey Wilks, 16, of Dripping Springs, shows her goat, Bonnie, at the Hays County Youth Livestock Show at Dripping Springs Ranch Park in Dripping Springs on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.
Gilbert Sandoval, 9, left, and Barrett Hunt, 9, chat in the barn after showing their goats at the Hays County Youth Livestock Show at Dripping Springs Ranch Park in Dripping Springs on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.
Zuri Petersen, 10, of Dripping Springs, prepares to show her goat at the Hays County Youth Livestock Show at Dripping Springs Ranch Park in Dripping Springs on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.
A man watched the market goat show at the Hays County Youth Livestock Show at Dripping Springs Ranch Park in Dripping Springs on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.