The livestock shows are an integral part of the annual N.C. Mountain State Fair. From beef cattle and meat goats to swine and llamas, the livestock shows represent the diversity of livestock found in Western North Carolina.
Started in 2011, the N.C. Mountain State Fair Livestock Hall of Fame honors individuals who have contributed to the continued success of the livestock shows. This year’s inductees were Gary and Joy Stamey and Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler and his wife, Sharon. The couples were inducted during a presentation Sept. 5, opening day of the 2014 N.C. Mountain State Fair.
Gary Stamey was the livestock director at the Mountain State Fair from 2003 until his passing in November 2013. He and his wife, Joy, were heavily involved in organizing livestock shows at the fair and throughout Western North Carolina. Vance Muse, a longtime family friend, provided remarks on behalf of the Stameys. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler presented the award to Joy Stamey and Gary’s father, Neal, during the ceremony.
Commissioner Troxler and Neal Stamey present Joy Stamey with her plaque for being inducted into the N.C. Mountain State Fair Livestock Hall of Fame.
After presenting the award to the Stameys, Commissioner Troxler learned that he and his wife, Sharon, also had been inducted into the Hall of Fame. The award came as a surprise to Commissioner Troxler, who thanked the organizers of the livestock show for their continued hard work.
“Sharon and I have a special place in our hearts for the people of Western North Carolina,” Troxler said. “I can’t thank you enough for this incredible honor.”
Commissioner Troxler and Sharon Troxler are inducted into the N.C. Mountain State Fair Livestock Hall of Fame with members of their family by their side.
The 2014 N.C. Mountain State Fair runs through Sept. 14. This year’s livestock shows feature 3,840 animals across 19 departments. A complete schedule of livestock shows is available at www.mountainfair.org.