The 59th annual Kleberg- Kenedy County Junior Livestock Show gets back into full swing this week with non-stop activities and events starting Tuesday afternoon and continuing through Saturday, Feb. 6, concluding with the Junior Livestock Show auction.

The Junior Livestock Show parade through historic downtown Kingsville kicked off this year’s nine-day celebration with hundreds of 4-H and FFA members on floats waving to the enthusiastic crowd.

Activities resumed Saturday with the chili cookoff getting underway outside the coliseum even before the sun rose. The rest of the day was devoted to a horse show and a variety of “pee wee” events aimed at introducing primary school children to raising show livestock.

Saturday’s activities concluded with the contest for senior, junior and subjunior queen, which was held in Jones Auditorium on the the campus of Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

The annual junior livestock show is one of the biggest events held each year in Kleberg County, attracting hundreds of youngsters from Kleberg and Kenedy Counties, who with the backing of their parents, grandparents, 4-H and FFA club sponsors and project leaders, show off their best skills in raising and exhibiting livestock or demonstrating their abilities in shop craftsmanship, sewing and backing.

Some exhibitors participate in all divisions.

Under the direction of the Kleberg-Kenedy County Junior Livestock Show Association, the aim of the annual livestock event is to showcase the talents of the youth of Kleberg and Kenedy Counties. Youngsters also have a chance to earn some money when their exhibits are auctioned off at the end of the show.

Proceeds from the junior livestock show also go to support a scholarship program.

And, there’s plenty to do for livestock show visitors, including commercial exhibits and a week-long carnival adjacent to the coliseum.