The Mineola Hay Show carried on its 57-year tradition last Tuesday with an eye toward the future.

The show raised more than $40,000 to benefit the Mineola school ag programs, which included honoring the winners of nine scholarships awarded to 2024 high school seniors.

With a nod to that first show in 1967, held on a Saturday morning in downtown Mineola, emcee Jackie Rodieck introduced Don Cole and Martha Holmes, whose fathers, Lester Cole and James Dear, were among the show’s founders.

That first show drew 78 entries, which was claimed to be the largest hay show in the state at the time. It is also believed to still be the longest-running hay show in the nation.

In addition to scholarships, the show also purchased a skid steer for the ag department.

Once the catered meal by Seth’s Lake Fork Creek and introductions were completed, the Mineola Civic Center became a lively auction arena as longtime auctioneer Kelly Conley (he claims 33 years) worked through 35 lots, of which 30 were the top hay producers.

Another longtime supporter, Sammy Young, chimed in with about $9,000 in door prize giveaways.

When all accounts were settled, the auction had raised $37,000, with add-ons raising the total above the $40,000 mark.

New this year was the hay bale decorating contest, which proved to be a popular attraction.

Ally Saldana won with her John Deere tractor display on FM 1801 near Loop 564.

Second place was the campers of Trey, Gracie and Georgia Huff and third went to the s’mores of Leann Strnadel.

Hay samples auctioned with winning bidder and amount.

1. Greg Walker, J&H Septic, $3,700.

2. Jerry Huff, Wood County Electric Co-op, $1,800.

3. Froilan Martinez, Broad Street Bank, $1,900.

4. Ricky Laprade, Big Country Farm Store, $1,500.

5. David Miller, City National Bank, $1,800

6. Damon Young, Emory Livestock, $1,000

7. Justin Powell, Ventura Stained Concrete, $1,000

8. Taylor Arney, Peoples Telephone, $650

9. David Raines, Wood County Electric, $500

10. Francie Hayden, $1,800, Cody Mize

11. Mark Hooton, Leon Anderson-Edward Jones, $850

12. Vern Fernholtz, Wood County Electric, $500

13. Tuf Arney, Miller Hay Sales, $1,150

14. Jimmie Smith, Potts Feed-Emory, $1,000

15. Hunter Wright, First Global Methodist Men, $700

16. John Mays, Winnsboro Livestock Auction, $800

17. Jody and Martha Holmes, Young Oil, $700

18. Sammy Young, Dwain Henry, $1,050

19. Teresa Arney, Wood County Electric, $400

20. Doug Taylor, Potts Feed-Quitman, $800

21. Levi Goforth, Young Oil, $950

22. Rusty Goforth, Texas Heritage Bank, $950

23. ME Headwaters Ranch, Origin Bank, $800

24. Tom West, Jason Ray-Edward Jones, $650

25. Layne Saldana, Jerry and Brenda Huff, $550

26. Lisa Miller, W6 Farms, $1,100

27. Jim Hooton, Justin and Alex Powell, $600

28. Ally Saldana, Jerry and Brenda Huff, $900

29. Tyler English, Parker and Son, $650

30. Jeremy Elliott, Seth’s Lake Fork Creek, $800.

Other auction items (donor listed last):

Consuela tote and wallet, Loretta Huff, $1,300 (Young Oil Co.).

Hog hunt and steak dinner, Monica Cook State Farm, $2,100 (Trey and Buddy Huff).

Crappie fishing trip, J.T. Arney and Sammy Young, $700 (Grey Beard Fishing).

One ton of fertilizer, Kevin Merritt, $1,000 (Big Country Fertilizer).

Kids picnic table, Circle E Farms, $550 (Glen Dossett).

Stihl battery pruner, $800, Seth’s Lake Fork Creek restaurant, $800 (United Ag and Turf).

The following donated merchandise that was part of the bid packages: Mineola Ag Dept., Uncle Bubba’s restaurant, Yellow Jacket Welding, Mineola Packing, Alba Tractor, Ace Hardware, Parker and Son Service, Red River Chemicals, Ricky Laprade, Midwest Land Group, John’s Tire, Buddy and Loretta Huff.

Scholarship recipients for 2024:

Fernel Ventura, Texas A&M, engineering, $2,000

Hunter Wernecke, Texas Tech, ag business, $2,000

Macy Fischer, Texas A&M, sports management, $1,500

Autumn Grosskopf, Tarleton State, animal science and horticulture, $1,500

Paul Stanley, UT Tyler, finance, $1,000

Ella Layne, UT Tyler, Nursing, $1,000

Jasmine Short, A&M Commerce, animal science pre-vet, $1,000

Mario Bautista, Tarleton State, financial business, $1,000

Estefi DeLaGarza, A&M Commerce, $500