Nytalia Boykin-Reek, a 10th-grader at Rodriguez High School, is an FFA exhibitor who shows sheep and participated in showmanship shows throughout the Dixon May Fair. To her, participating in showmanship is a great experience overall. 

DIXON, CA (MPG) - The Dixon May Fair, held from May 8 to 11, offered various entertainment options, including live music, carnival rides and a mechanical bull. However, for many children and parents alike, the livestock area served as the central hub of their fair experience.

Throughout the event, youth livestock exhibitors from throughout Solano County competed for ribbons and recognition in livestock showmanship. Each participant competed for their own reasons, such as Nytalia Boykin-Reek, a Rodriguez High School 10th-grader. Boykin-Reek has participated in showmanship for two years and works with sheep.

“My mom was in Future Farmers of America (FFA) in high school and she told me about the great memories. It is overall a good experience,” said Boykin-Reek.

Jake Howard, a Suisun Valley K-8 sixth-grader, worked with pigs for the first time at the Dixon May Fair.

Lauren Wagner (center) used to competed as a youth, showing sheep and cattle but her daughters fell in love with rabbits, inspiring Camille Pace (left) and her sister, Alex Pace, to compete as well.

“I was going to do chickens but we can’t this year because of the bird flu, so I decided to do pigs. Whatever I do, I make sure to work at it as much as I can,” said Howard.

Howard went on to win the 4-H Novice Showmanship competition, qualifying him to move up to Junior Showmanship and earn second overall.

According to the Dixon May Fair 2025 exhibitor’s guidebook, competitors based on age and class, could compete in one of five competitions: FFA Novice Showmanship, FFA Senior Showmanship, 4-H Novice Showmanship, 4-H Junior Showmanship and 4-H Senior Showmanship.

First- and second-place competitors in novice showmanship were eligible for a higher class, as per Howard’s experience, and first- and second-place winners in the novice and junior categories were eligible for supreme showmanship. First- through eighth-place winners in junior showmanship received ribbons, while the first-place prize for supreme showmanship was a gold belt buckle.

Other competitors included Alex and Camille Pace, sisters who show rabbits. For them, showcasing their rabbits and making friends is the best part of the Dixon May Fair. Lauren Wagner, their mother, used to compete, inspiring her daughters.

“I showed sheep and cattle for 11 years throughout my youth but the girls fell in love with rabbits,” said Wagner.

A variety of livestock were showcased throughout the Dixon May Fair, including sheep, goats, swine, rabbits, cows and even stuffed chickens, due to the bird flu.

Lacy DeQuattro of Farmer’s Closet Boutique, a local vendor at the Dixon May Fair, also grew up showing animals, which led to her children becoming involved.

“We grew up here, we showed animals, and now we buy the kids’ animals at the end of the week at the auction,” said DeQuattro. “It is so fun; we look forward to it every year.”

Competitors showcased a diverse collection of animals, including sheep, goats, swine, rabbits, cows and even stuffed chickens, due to the bird flu. Among all participants, six competitors emerged on top in the supreme showmanship competitions.

The victors are as follows: for 4-H Senior Showmanship, Luke McMullen of Maine Prairie 4-H won first in large animals, followed by Sierra Montoliu, an independent Vacaville resident, who won first in small animals. For 4-H Junior Showmanship, Lola Leber, a Dixon Independent, won first prize for large animals, followed by Madison Wilson of Vaca Valley Grange, who won first for small animals. Lastly, for FFA Showmanship, Ava Garben of Rodriguez FFA won for large animals and Montoliu won for small animals. 

For more information, visit online dixonmayfair.com or call 707-678-5529.