Olivia Spurgeon had an outstanding 14th birthday on July 20.

The Montgomery City resident earned grand champion honors in the steer division for the second time in three years after her steer, Blueberry, came out on top in this year’s Junior Livestock Show at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.

“It’s pretty cool,” said Spurgeon, a member of the Big Spring Busy Beavers. “I’m really happy about it. There was a big turnout with all of the new people who showed up and showed cattle.”

Olivia Heying (rabbit), Kenley Wessel (goat), Harrison Vomund (hog), Madeline Politsch (chicken) and Amelia Uthlaut (sheep) also earned grand champion honors for their animals. Receiving reserve champion honors were Aleida Eldringhoff (rabbit), Addie Schroer (goat), Emily Lampkin (steer), Machaela Wehrle (hog), Libby Kleinsorge (chicken) and Kinzey Ebker (sheep).

Two years ago, Spurgeon won a grand champion award for her steer, Alfalfa. The following year, Spurgeon didn’t get grand champion honors with Blueberry, but she won the on-hoof title at the steer show.

This year, Spurgeon was one of many exhibitors who got to sell their animals at this year’s auction that lasted nearly five hours. A total of 81 hogs were sold, more than any animal, followed by rabbits with 46, steer with 29, sheep with 14, chickens with 12 and goats with nine.

“I love it,” Spurgeon said. “This is the highlight of my summer.”

Spurgeon, who will be a freshman at Montgomery County High School this fall, said she enjoyed raising Blueberry, who weighs 1,400 pounds.

“He’s been one of my favorites,” Spurgeon said. “He’s very docile.”

Wessel, who will be an eighth-grade student at Montgomery County Middle School this fall, won grand champion honors in the goat division for the first time after earning reserve champion honors last year. She received a stool and a banner for her victory.

Wessel’s goat’s name is Bubba, who was born in January and is from Kansas. She has been raising the 117-pound goat since May.

“He’s huge,” said Wessel, who is a member of the Jonesburg Kountry Kids. “When you try spraying him with a hose, he’ll start screaming. He loves food.”

Wessel said her grand champion award has already gotten her excited for the 2024 fair.

“After this fair, I’m going to be looking forward to the next fair,” Wessel said. “I just look forward to the fair. It’s so much fun.”

Harrison, who will be a sixth-grade student at MCMS this year, received a grand champion award for his 282-pound hog, which doesn’t have a name.

“I didn’t think I was going to get it,” said Harrison, who is a member of the Bellflower Boosters.