You might have noticed license plates from several different states around Columbia this past weekend.
The Pearl River Classic Poultry Show drew attendees from at least eight states to the Columbia Expo Center, including Anthony Ashley of Honea Path, S.C.
“I come for the hospitality and the food,” he said as he judged some of the more than 800 chickens in the annual show last Saturday. “I’ve judged and showed here before. I like it – it’s a long drive. Maybe I’ll fly next time.”
Ashley travels across the country to judge and show at various poultry shows.
“I’ve been to California, Florida, Ohio and Columbia this year,” he said. “I’ll be going to Washington (state) later this year. I really enjoy visiting all of the places.”
A judge at a poultry show, like the Pearl River Classic, has a lot to look for, according to Ashley.
“You look at the breed type and you have to check the eye color, beak color, comb and check the feathers to make sure there are no problems,” he said. “Each breed has its own characteristics.”
Heavy rain fell Friday as exhibitors were arriving in Columbia and all day Saturday during the show, keeping crowds down over past years.
“No words could tell you how very much I appreciate each one who came out in the nasty weather to support the Pearl River Classic,” Show Secretary Julie McDonald said. “The Columbia Expo Center staff is the best and they go above and beyond to make sure everything is ready for us. We had some awesome vendors this year. The raffles were beyond belief. The Panhandle Poultry Club outdid themselves with some awesome food.”
McDonald said she was pleased with the show, despite the weather.
“We had some great judges and our clerks did a wonderful job,” she said. “Our exhibitors are faithful and 100 percent supportive. I just want to thank everybody involved. Thank you to those who travel near and far to be with us every January. We’re already talking about next year and the years to come.”
Expo Center Director Jan Clark said the event impresses her each year.
“It’s one of the bigger events we have, along with the rodeo,” she said. “We had people from as far away as Minnesota. They came from North Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana and more. I was talking to someone from North Carolina and they said what a nice facility this is for this type of show.
“They said that it’s so nice and big and that they love coming here.”
Pictured Above: Nearly 900 chickens were on display Saturday at the Columbia Expo Center as the annual Pearl River Classic Poultry Show took place. The event drew people from at least eight states to Columbia. | Photo by Mark Rogers
