Dateline: March 30, 2006

CC judging contest expecting large crowd

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

The local population will more than double this weekend when the 25th annual Clarendon College Invitational Judging Contest is held on Saturday.

The contest regularly attracts more than 2,000 high school FFA students and 4-H students from Texas and nearby states, but some officials say attendance at this year’s contest may approach 3,000.

CC President Myles Shelton reported to the Clarendon Lions Club Tuesday afternoon that pre-registrations had already surpassed 1,700 and that figure was strictly FFA students and did not include 4-H members, sponsors, and parents as well as friends and other relatives.

According to the 2000 US Census, Clarendon has a population of 1,974.

Past contests have had huge impacts on the local economy, and more attendees at this year’s contest will certainly increase that effect. Restaurants are typically packed for the event to the point of actually having to turn people away, and this year will likely be equally successful.

Best Western American Inn owner Steve Hall says his establishment is already booked solid for the weekend.

In fact, the annual judging contest is the single biggest event to attract visitors from out of county for one day than any other annual event. By comparison, the July 4th Saints’ Roost Celebration barbecue annually attracts about 1,000 people, and the Col. Charles Goodnight Chuckwagon Cookoff records between 1,000 and 1,500 visitors each September. Both of those events, however, have hundreds of local residents in attendance. The greatest number of people at the judging contest will come from outside of Donley County.

In addition to helping local merchants, the event also presents a great opportunity for CC to showcase its campus, faculty, and programs for prospective students. Johnny Treichel, Clarendon College livestock and meats judging coach, said the event is the biggest recruiting tool for the college.

“This is the only time each year the college has this many potential students on campus,” he said. “And we are pleased to have such positive support from the community.”

While always supportive of the judging contest, several local organizations have actually stepped up to help sponsor and financially contribute to the event this year. Those groups include the Lions Club, the City of Clarendon, the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation, the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce and the Best Western American Inn.