Be You Livestock Show is inspiring fun for everyone

As year six rolls around for the Be You Livestock Show at the Holmes County Fair, show organizer and creator Kylie Ramirez has plenty to add to her already busy schedule during the fair, having recently finished up her schooling at the Ohio State University, where she majored in agricultural communications.

With her education now in her rearview mirror, her attention now turns to finding employment, but as the fair draws near, she is elated to invest her time and energy into her fair show.

“It’s a hectic time, but after six years, I’ve gotten it down pat, and hopefully this year will be more relaxing and less chaotic,” she said.

This year’s Be You Livestock Show will take place Saturday, Aug. 10 at noon in the show arena in the expo center at Harvest Ridge, with 13 exhibitors and as many mentors set to put on a show that has captured the hearts of those who attend.

A former West Holmes graduate and Holmes County Fair queen, Ramirez created this opportunity that allows people with development disabilities to enjoy the thrill of showing animals in the ring in front of a big crowd.

She said she still gets emotional watching the show and hopes a large crowd shows up to support those individuals who are showing the animals.

“It’s just an emotional joy to watch,” Ramirez said. “You almost have to just come and experience it to understand how incredible this event is to the participants and their families. Most importantly, we want people with special needs to see there are no limits on what they can do, and that includes exhibiting livestock at shows.”

She said for individuals with developmental disabilities, working with and being around the various animals is a great form of therapy and uplifts their spirits.

While the show is designed for those with developmental disabilities, each one works with an experienced mentor.

“Many of them share the same passion in wanting to go into a field where they are working with people with developmental disabilities, and most of them say that they want to find ways to serve others,” Ramirez said of the mentors.

The exhibitors will show a host of animals including pygmy goats, meat goats, rabbits, sheep and pigs. Each participant can show one or all the animals.

Be You is a show that touches the lives of the exhibitors, their families, the mentors and anyone who comes to watch. Ramirez said the growth she has experienced is something special. She said that alone has helped her grow in ways she never imagined.

“It’s taught me a lot about leadership, and it has prepared me to work with individuals with developmental disabilities,” she said. “I’ve gotten so much out of this, and my hope is that those who attend will feel the same emotions of joy and excitement that our exhibitors show.”