A look inside 90 years of the Nueces County Junior Livestock Show

This year’s milestone anniversary also includes a behind-the-scenes look at how the show has evolved since its beginnings in 1936.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Nueces County Junior Livestock Show is celebrating its 90th year, highlighting decades of tradition while continuing to introduce young generations in the Coastal Bend to careers and opportunities in agriculture.

The annual event features student competitions and exhibits across multiple categories, including poultry, swine, homemaking, lambs, goats and more. 

This year’s milestone anniversary also includes a behind-the-scenes look at how the show has evolved since its beginnings in 1936.

Sarita Nelson, a Young Herdsman and Miss Top Interview, created an exhibit showcasing the history of the livestock show through photographs and records dating back to 1938.

“It evolved from starting off with cattle, then it went on to swine, then I believe it went on to like sheep, then goats,” Nelson said.

Nelson said she drew inspiration from the Rio Grande Valley Junior Livestock Show while designing her display.

“Every year, I always go to that show and I always see the museum. It’s always filled with the past queens dresses, a little bull ride, and then there’s games for like the younger members, and then there’s pictures and all the actual history that goes into the making,” Nelson said.

Her exhibit also features a list of past livestock show queens representing Nueces County.

“From 1964,” Nelson said. “Francis Whitley, representing Robstown 4-H.”

Nearby, fellow Young Herdsman Avery Tomanec focused her exhibit on animal care and the tools needed to prepare livestock for competition.

“I have a bunch of tools that are used for each of these animals,” Tomanec said.

Tomanec said she is following in her father’s footsteps by showing lambs and appreciates being part of a long-standing tradition.

“It’s really nice to know that there is a history behind us, and we’re not the first people doing it,” she said.

Nelson said one of her goals is to inspire younger generations to take pride in being a part of the county.

“We are a tough county to beat. And everyone always goes, whenever you walk into Robstown, it is like, ‘Oh that is Nueces County,’” she said.

The show continues throughout the week until Saturday, celebrating both its 90-year legacy and the next generation of agricultural leaders in the Coastal Bend.