Friday afternoon, in the middle of the traditional Warren County Fair activities, something new appeared this year with the debut of Show Ring Stars all-abilities show, which brought together participants both young and old to an all-inclusive event that featured exhibitors and those who might never have visited a show ring before.

Created through a partnership between the Warren County Fair Livestock Committee, Warren County Pathfinders and local 4-H clubs, FFA chapters, friends and families, Show Ring Stars gave individuals with disabilities the opportunity to experience what it feels like to exhibit livestock alongside experienced youth mentors.

Livestock Committee member Ashley Garrett said the idea came from a similar event held yearly at the Missouri State Fair.

“At the state fair they do a show, it's just a pig show, but it is all-inclusive,” she said. “It is one of my favorite things at the fair.”

Garrett, who is a teacher, said she felt like the idea would translate well to Warren County and she wanted to give special needs kids and adults the opportunity to do something fun in the agriculture/livestock world.

She said she reached out to Pathfinders who were more than eager to participate in the event.

She said once participants were identified they were given the opportunity to tell Garrett and other fair board members which animals were of most interest to them. She said local FFA and 4-H members literally jumped at the opportunity to participate in this new event.

Each participant was then paired with a 4-H or FFA exhibitor who served as their mentor throughout the event, which unlike the state fair, included a whole host of different animal species including sheep, goats, rabbits, poultry and pigs. The participants learned how to properly show their animals while experiencing the full fair experience.

Garret said 2025 Fair Queen Reagan Vehige, who has judged numerous competitions, said it was her favorite event to judge.

Unlike a traditional livestock show, every participant was celebrated as a champion, and Garrett said some of her 4-H and FFA exhibitors valued their awards from the show as much or more than awards they received during their work in standard livestock shows throughout the week.

Garrett said the response to the show was overwhelmingly positive and she would like to expand the event next year to include more schools and youth with special needs. She said the event would have no limit on the number of exhibitors who will participate as several more helped behind the scenes this year, with the hope of being part of the show next year.

“Our goal is to continue growing this program so that even more families can experience the joy of being part of the livestock community,” Garrett said.