Current and former Washington County 4-H and FFA sheep exhibitors are invited to take part in a special show during this year’s Washington County Fair to celebrate two longtime volunteers.

“Ewe Raised Me Right” is a special generational class for families who worked with Dave Birney and Duane Sprouse, who have retired this year after 48 years of running the sheep show. Sprouse shares how he first got involved at the fair, “I came to Keota as a brand new ag teacher in 1972 and my first assignment said, ‘You’re going to work at the Washington County Fair sheep department.’ And after 48 years I haven’t left so I’ve enjoyed it along with Dave. We kind of came in together and we figured that it might be nice to head into the sunset and let the young kids take over.”

Birney says he and Sprouse both look forward to attending the fair strictly as attendees, “It’s just going to be exciting to see some of the parents and grandparents now and have the kids out there. You go through two or three generations and watch them when they start and they’re like this and now they’re grandparents, it’s kind of interesting.”

The fair is calling all families who have worked through two or more generations with Birney and Sprouse for the show happening at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 20th. Those who don’t currently have a sheep will be provided one. For contact information to register visit here.