Aidan Mortensen, KOAL News

On Monday, June 24, the Southeastern Utah Junior Livestock Show (SEUJLS) grounds caught on fire, causing mass damage to the facilities, including causing a collapse of the barn among other major damages.

In a Facebook Post shared by the SEUJLS, the organization stated,” The hog barn is gone, the show ring is completely gutted and 2/3 of the main barn is destroyed … Thanks to the firefighters and to our many friends around the state who have offered assistance. The show will go on!”

Dennis Worwood, an organizer of the event spoke on the history of the barn with Castle Country Radio, explaining that the barn was built by hand in the 1940s, and was built through volunteer labor, and that with the loss of the arena came a significant loss to the history of the Emery County area.

But Worwood offered some hope, stating,” The show will still go on.” This is possible due to the generosity of Castle Dale, who is allowing the stock show to move to Blue Sage Arena within the city. Worwood also explained that they had received offers from all over the state for different pieces of equipment necessary for the event. Places like Spanish Fork, Delta, Cedar City, Sanpete County and Sevier County have all offered aid to help ensure the show goes on.

The Stock Show has been a fixture of eastern Utah for generations, often attracting thousands of people from around the state to participate in the event.

Residents shared their memories of the grounds, Dani Jo Thatcher from Elmo, Utah spoke fondly of the grounds saying,” It is really sad to see. My grandpa showed steers there, my aunts and uncles showed hogs there, and my family showed goats and hogs there. A lot of good memories and family traditions were made, and it’s hard to see the barns and show ring burned when so many of those memories were made there.”

Cassie Thatcher also shared her feelings on the fire,” I am saddened by this fire. There are so many good memories at the Stockshow grounds. I think about the older generation and when they first showed cows on those grounds and slept in that barn with their animals. Painting the barn and welding the pig wash pens were great memories of my youth. Every time I go to the grounds I have taken pride in knowing I had a part in the way the grounds look today. Sharing that love of the stock show with my kids has made many great memories that have been passed down from my dad to me to my kids.”

Shaylee Miller from Huntington, Utah spoke on the impact felt by her family because of the fire,” This tragic event has caused much sorrow for my family and me. Between volunteering, serving as a committee member, and showing livestock, my family has spent countless hours at these grounds. I, along with many others, have shown livestock at the Ferron Livestock Show for 10 years. I’ve had priceless experiences and have made unforgettable memories here on these grounds. It’s heartbreaking to see what has happened. This is a devastating loss for our community.”

The Stockshow already had a fundraiser planned before the fire, but now it takes on a whole different meaning. On Monday, July 1, starting at 6 p.m. in the Emery County Recreation Building, the organization will be holding a bingo night fundraiser, with all funds raised going toward show expenses and relief efforts from the fire.

The cause of the fire is still unknown at the time of writing. For more updates on the Stock Show, you can visit their Facebook page here. In addition to the fundraiser, you can also send donations to the SEUJLS through Venmo at @SoutheasternUtah-JuniorLivesto.