The Texas Hill Country is gearing up for an exciting celebration! The 2025 Hill District Grandstand Livestock Show is on from January 10 through January 18, 2025. This annual event, now in its 5th year, is a showcase of the hard work and dedication of our 4-H and FFA youth from across the state of Texas. Events will be hosted in Fredericksburg, Llano, Comfort, and Kerrville.
"The Hill District Grandstand is a culmination of resilience, pride in our communities, and commitment to excellence for every exhibitor and family who participates in the show," says Taylor Osbourn, Texas A&M County Extension Agent from Llano, TX. "When faced with adversity, a passionate group of volunteers, County Agents, and Ag Teachers banded together to provide an opportunity for 4-H and FFA members to exhibit and sell the projects they so proudly raised. ‘Their Future is Worth the Finish’ was the driving force the first year and still holds today as we enter our 5th year because their future is truly our future."
In line with our tradition of excellence, the show highlights the essence of the agriculture industry and the future of our youth. Our commitment to supporting young exhibitors remains unwavering. In 2024 alone, we awarded over $70,600 to Breeding and Ag Mechanics exhibitors. Additionally, we raised a staggering $675,350 through the Hill District Grandstand Youth Auction. These funds provide valuable resources for Texas 4-H and FFA youth to advance their agricultural education. Our motto, "Their Future is Worth the Finish," reflects our dedication to nurturing the next generation of agricultural leaders.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our communities for their unwavering support, which has been instrumental in achieving our goals. Each project presented at the show represents a significant investment of time, money, hard work, and persistence. We are incredibly proud of our 2024 exhibitors, each of whom earned a minimum of $3,000—and at least $5,000 for cattle exhibitors—to support their education and future aspirations.
This year, the Market Shows and Gilt Show will feature exhibitors from over 40 counties. Additionally, attendees can look forward to statewide competitions in Breeding Sheep, Turkeys, Agricultural Mechanics, and Livestock Judging.
The pinnacle of the event is the auction on January 18, where you can witness the future of agriculture firsthand. Mandy Geistweidt, Youth Auction Coordinator, warmly invites you to experience the culmination of our young exhibitors' hard work and dedication as they compete for top honors.
Blaine Hahn, a Board Member, expresses his excitement, stating, "We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of several donors who have contributed to our auction, helping us achieve our ambitious goals."
We invite the agricultural community, 4-H and FFA members, local donors, and all supporters of youth in agriculture to mark their calendars for the 2025 Hill District Grandstand Livestock Show. Join us in celebrating five years of excellence and dedication to building a brighter future for agriculture.
2025 Hill District Grandstand Schedules & Locations
January 10-18, 2025
November 1, 2024:
Online Entries Open
December 1, 2024:
Entry Deadline. All entries must be made and paid for online.
January 1, 2025:
Late entries will be accepted till January 1st. Entries will be accepted on arrival day for each species for an additional late fee.
Friday, January 10, 2025:
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Arrival State Breeding Sheep at Gillespie County Fairgrounds
5:00 p.m. Check-In Deadline for Breeding Sheep
Saturday, January 11, 2025:
8:00 a.m. Breeding Sheep Show at Gillespie County Fairgrounds
Sunday, January 12, 2025:
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Arrival Market Lambs at John L. Kuykendall Arena & Event Center
5:00 p.m. Check-In Deadline & Weight Cards Due for Market Lambs
Monday, January 13, 2025:
8:00 a.m. Market Lamb Show at John L. Kuykendall Arena & Event Center (Classification of FW, FWX, SD & Dorper will be done during the show)
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Market Barrow Arrival at Hill Country Youth Event Center
12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Arrival Agricultural Mechanics at Hill Country Youth Event Center
3:00 p.m. Check-In Deadline Market Barrows
7:00 p.m. Fastest Torch in the Hill Country Contest Registration Deadline
Tuesday, January 14, 2025:
8:00 a.m. Agricultural Mechanics Show at Hill Country Youth Event Center
8:00 a.m. Market Barrow Show at Hill Country Youth Event Center
Wednesday, January 15, 2025:
6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Market Goat Arrival at the John L. Kuykendall Arena & Event Center
7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Hill District Grandstand Radiothon
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Arrival of Purebred & Crossbred Breeding Gilts at the Hill Country Youth Event Center
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Arrival Market Steers & Breeding Heifers at Kendall County Youth Agriculture & Equestrian Center
10:30 a.m. Check-In Deadline & Weight Cards Due for Market Goats
12:00 p.m. Market Goat Show at the John L. Kuykendall Arena & Event Center
3:00 p.m. Check-In Deadline & Weight Cards Due for Purebred and Crossbred Breeding Gilts
3:00 p.m. Check-In Deadline & Weight Cards Due for Breeding Heifers & Market Steers
3:00 p.m. Weight Card Due for European Steer Exhibitors
3:30 p.m. Classification of Market Steers (American & British market steer exhibitors will bring their physical weight card to classification)
Thursday, January 16, 2025:
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Arrival/Sift State Turkey Show at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds
8:00 a.m. Purebred and Crossbred Breeding Gilt Show at the Hill Country Youth Event Center
8:00 a.m. Breeding Heifer Show at Kendall County Youth Agriculture & Equestrian Center
Following Breeding Heifer Show: Market Steer Show at Kendall County Youth Agriculture & Equestrian Center
10:00 a.m. State Turkey Show at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds
Friday, January 17, 2025:
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Livestock Judging Contest Check-In at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds
10:00 a.m. Livestock Judging Contest
Saturday, January 18, 2025:
11:00 a.m. Buyer Check-in Begins
12:00 p.m. Buyer Lunch
1:00 p.m. THE GRANDSTAND SALE at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds
Download the 2025 Show Schedule: 2025 HDGS Show Schedule PDF
Please note that the schedule is subject to change.
Locations:
Lamb & Goat Shows: John L. Kuykendall Arena & Events Center – 2200 W Ranch Rd. 152 Llano, TX 78643
Breeding Sheep & Turkey Shows: Gillespie County Fairgrounds – 530 Fair Dr. Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Cattle Shows: Kendall County Youth Agriculture & Equestrian Center – 648 FM 289 Comfort, TX 78013
Swine & Ag Mech Shows: Hill Country Event Center – 3785 TX-27 Kerrville, TX 78028
Don’t forget about the HILL DISTRICT GRANDSTAND YOUTH AUCTION happening at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds – it’s an event you won’t want to miss!
Get ready for an incredible showcase of talent, skills, and achievements. We look forward to seeing you there!
About Hill District Grandstand Livestock Show:
The Hill District Grandstand Livestock Show is dedicated to supporting the agricultural community and future leaders in agriculture. We provide a platform for 4-H and FFA youth to showcase their skills and hard work, offering them opportunities to further their agricultural education and careers.
