Addison Campbell (second from left) claimed the coveted Grand Showman of Showmen title on Thursday, Aug. 1.
Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald
Thursday night’s Grand Showman of Showmen contestants competed for a prize belt buckle sponsored by Chad and Mindy Ward and family.
Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald
Campbell
Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald
Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald
Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald
EATON — Addison Campbell claimed the coveted Grand Showman of Showmen title to cap off her 2024 Preble County Junior Fair experience.
Campbell was named Grand Showman of Showmen at the conclusion of the the ultimate competition, held on Thursday, Aug. 1.
“It’s a dream come true,” Campbell said after being declared the winner. “It’s something I’ve always worked towards and it’s the biggest goal that I’ve always set for myself. To win Showman of Showman is what I work towards every year.”
Addison is the daughter of Andy and Darci Campbell, and is a nine-year member of the Ultimate Livestock 4-H Club and a three-year member of MVCTC FFA.
Addison’s father claimed the title himself in 1994. Thursday’s show was Addison’s second time competing for the title — she lost by two points at the 2023 show. With the win, she and her father are believed to be the first-ever father-daughter duo to both win.
“It’s amazing, and there’s always jokes in the barn about who can have the better score,” Addison said of following in her father’s footsteps. “We do all the animals together,” she added. “So it’s pretty awesome.”
Campbell shows cattle, lambs and goats, and chose to represent goats and show cattle during the Grand Showman of Showmen competition.
“I knew I wanted to get back in it. So I was trying. I started studying a couple months before fair just to prepare myself because I already have a very packed week. So I wanted to make it as less stressful as I could. So just making sure I’m confident in everything and going around, hitting every animal every single night. Just to become more confident,” Addison said. “Being a multiple species showman helps you become a lot more comfortable with every species.”
“Thank you to my parents and my family and my aunt for always pushing me and always letting me chase my dreams,” she added.
The competition began in the rabbit show ring, then move to the Bullen Equestrian Horse Arena for the remainder. Grand Showman of Showmen competition highlights the talents of winners across various livestock departments. Organized by the Preble County Junior Fair Board, it exclusively featured champion showmen from beef, swine, dairy cattle, equine, meat goats, rabbit, sheep, poultry, and new this year, dairy goats.
To be a contestant in this event, all Preble County Junior Fair livestock exhibitors must participate in a showmanship class within their livestock department. These exhibitors are divided by age and evaluated on their performance and skill level. All age class winners then compete for the department’s title of “Showman of Showmen.” That winner then competes among the best of the best livestock showmen from each livestock division. All of the individual department winners compete against one another by showing all of the different animals. In some cases, the exhibitors were working with animals they have had no prior experience with showing, according to organizers.
Thursday night’s Grand Showman of Showmen contestants competed for a prize belt buckle sponsored by Chad and Mindy Ward and family.
Other participants in Thursday’s contest included:
•Beef — Andrew Johnson, representing the Beef Department as the Reserve Champion Beef Showman. He is the son of Brad and Mary Johnson, and represented Twin Creek Livestock 4-H Club and Twin Valley South MVCTC FFA.
•Swine — Rilynn Tolley, representing the Swine Department as the Grand Champion Swine Showman. She is the daughter of Megan and Josh Tolley, and represented the Dixon Township 4-H Club.
•Dairy Cattle — Paige House, representing the Dairy Cattle Department as the Grand Champion Dairy Showman. She is the daughter of Chip House and Melissa Hudson and represented Dixon Israel Livestock 4-H Club and Preble Shawnee FFA.
•Horse — Malia Thacker, representing the Horse Department as the Grand Champion Horse Showman. She is the daughter of Luke and Gwen Thacker and represented Buckeroo Riders & Somers Super Beef 4-H Club and Eaton MVCTC FFA.
•Dairy Goat — Ashley Lake,representing the Dairy Goat Department as the Grand Champion Dairy Goat and Dog Showman. Ashley is the daughter of Steve and Kathy Lake, and represented Tailwaggers 4-H Club.
•Rabbit — Lily Bailey, representing the Rabbit Department as the Grand Champion Rabbit Showman. She is the daughter of Michelle and Landon Bailey, and represented the Cottontail Express 4-H Club.
•Sheep — Johanna Blaich, representing the Sheep Department as the Grand Champion Sheep Showman. She is the daughter of Amy and Randy Blaich, and represented All Star Livestock 4-H Club and MVCTC FFA.
•Poultry — Wyatt Beneke, representing the Poultry Department as the Grand Champion Poultry Showman. He is the son of Dianna and Jamie Beneke and represented the Preble County Dairy Goat Club.
•Dog — Hannah Ashworth, representing the Dog Department as the Grand Champion Dog Showman. She is the daughter of David and Lisa Ashworth and represented the Tailwaggers 4-H Club.
Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4061 and follow on X @emowenjr.
