This Tuesday, trailers from across the Midwest will pull into the Mower County Fairgrounds for the North Central Junior Simmental Classic.

From June 16-19, 177 participants from 11 states will compete in cattle shows and leadership contests. This event is the largest regional event for the American Simmental Association in history, with 312 Simmental cattle slated to compete.

There will be many contests, including livestock judging, a cattleman’s quiz, sales talk and speeches. The events aim to test contestans’ beef knowledge and help develop communication skills.

“I was really nervous about the contests when I attended my first Junior Simmental Classic in South Dakota three years ago,” said junior member Martha Moenning of Hayfield in a press release. “But now I really look forward to them. It’s a lot of fun there and there are usually some great awards for those who place. Each year I set new goals for myself.”

The main event of the classic, the cattle show, will start at 9 a.m. on Thursday. Showmanship will be held at 9 a.m. on Friday.

The event will culminate with an Awards Banquet and Program at 2 p.m. on Friday at the Holiday Inn in Austin.

“I told committee members there are a few things kids remember about an event like this — it’s the food and fun, and then being awarded for their hard work,” event coordinator Jessica Aggen said in a press release.

The public is invited to watch the cattle show in the livestock arena Thursday morning.