Everyone came with open wallets at Saturday’s large animal market auction.

There were a total of 243 large animals up for sale.

There was no doubt that every penny was well spent on the children who worked so hard to raise their animals.

DeAnna Holliday of Holliday’s BP said, “I’m an advocate for the kids. It’s a great feeling to invest in the kids.”

Out of 75 goats, Kara Burcham’s grand champion brought a whopping $25 per pound for a total cost of $1,775.

Purchasers who got in on the action were: candidate for County Auditor Jason Stephens, county commissioner candidate Paul Herrell, Hanson Moving Company, State Representative John Carey, County Commissioner Les Boggs, County Recorder Sharon Gossett Hager, State Representative candidate Dr. Terry Johnson, State Senator candidate David Daniels, and County Auditor Ray Dutey.

The reserve champion goat shown by Allie Pancake brought $22 per pound for a total cost of $1,672. Cooke’s Farm Center and Shawn and DeAnna Holliday of Holliday’s BP bought the reserve goat.

There were 120 hogs up for auction. The grand champion hog shown by Shawna Myers brought $17 per pound for a total cost of $4,454.

Grand champion hog purchasers were: Attorney Mark McCown, County Auditor candidate Steven Dale Burcham, C&C Grocery, Mike Star and Mike Smith Logging, State Representative candidate Fred Deel, State Representative candidate Ron Hadsell, Guy’s Floor Covering, R&C Packing, Holliday’s BP, Hadsell Development, Feed Stop LLC, County Commissioner Doug Malone, State Senate candidate Justin Fallon, Lawrence County Clerk of Courts Michael Patterson and Robert Burcham.

“It’s for a good cause,” said Hadsell. “It’s always great to be here in Lawrence County.”

The reserve hog shown by Jimmy Stewart brought $6 per pound for a total cost of $1,578. Purchasers were: County Auditor candidate Steven Dale Burcham, State Representative candidate Ron Hadsell, and Hadsell Development.

“It’s a great time,” said Burcham. “The kids worked really hard. They put a lot of time into it.”

There were 36 market steers on the block. The grand champion steer shown by Brenna Morris brought $4.25 per pound for a total cost of $5,529.25.

Purchasers of the grand champion steer were: Spice of Life Catering and Events, Rocky Top Race Way, and Holliday’s BP.

The reserve steer shown by Naaman Dyer brought $3.75 per pound for a total cost of $4,908.75. Chapman Printing represented by Nate Henderson bought the steer.

“They worked hard on this,” said Henderson about the children.

There were 12 market lambs up for auction. The grand champion lamb shown by Kara Saunders brought $21 per pound for a total cost of $2,646. Cooke’s Farm Center bought the lamb.

Bob Sells of Cooke’s said he bought the lamb because of “that little girl,” referring to Kara.

The reserve lamb, shown by Kara’s cousin Ethan Cade, brought $13 per pound for a total cost of $1,573. Ohio River Bank, Howards and Son Body Shop, and Guy’s Floor Covering bought the reserve lamb.

The nine-year-old cousins made their debut at the fair this year. Both Kara and Ethan said they want to buy an iPod Touch with their winnings. Kara also said she wanted to “put the rest in the bank for a car.”