Hardworking students from the 4-H Beef Program await their turn to show off their steer, which is proof of their painstaking efforts, at The Big E’s annual 4-H Beef Sale.

NORTH AMERICAN MIDWAY ENTERTAINMENT GENEROUSLY DONATES STEER BACK TO 4-H BEEF SALE AT THE BIG E

On Monday, September 22, The Big E hosted its annual 4-H Beef Sale at the Mallary Complex, which proved a success. The event was well attended and welcomed both new and returning buyers, including North American Midway Entertainment (NAME) which generously donated the steer it purchased back to its owner.

Overall, 44 steers sold at an average of $7.77/lb. Auction sales totaled nearly $424,946, a 67% increase from 2024. The 4-H Beef Grand Champion Overall Steer was raised by Kaylin Couto of Portsmouth, R.I., and weighed 1,425 lbs. It was purchased by Green Development at $30/lb.

Blake Huston, vice president of NAME and chairman of the Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA), was one of many buyers present. NAME has been The Big E’s carnival provider since NAME’s inception in 2005—the two organizations have a long history of partnership, and NAME has proven a loyal bidder at the auction.

This year, Huston purchased the 3rd Place Medium Weight Steer from Julia Duval of Conn. He opted to donate the steer he purchased back to the 4-H student, which allows Duval to sell the steer again, both doubling her profit and supporting future education, beef projects and life after high school.

When asked about NAME’s consistent support for the event, Huston said, “Participating in the 4-H Beef Sale is something we’ve done annually for a long time at many fairs throughout the country to help support today’s youth in agriculture. These kids spend a lot of time raising their animals, and the program teaches them a great work ethic along with invaluable life skills.”

Eastern States Exposition (ESE) is grateful to the many buyers, new and returning, that attend the 4-H Beef Sale and support rising agriculturists. This year, The Big E welcomed 1,733 4-Hers to the Fair; ESE’s grounds are a mecca for the future farmers of the United States, so it is critical that the organization remains an uplifting space for these youths. By their generosity at the auction, the NAME team and other bidders help the charitable agricultural mission of ESE.