Cattle Women take precautions at annual dinner

Thanks to COVID-19, the annual buyers dinner at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds looked a little different this year.

First of all, said Cattle Women member Riki Davidson, all of the servers were wearing face masks and gloves.

In addition, tables were spaced farther apart, and Cattle Women who weren’t serving wiped down tables after each use.

The dinner was held in the Exhibit Hall again this year, and those attending the event were told to enter by the north doors and exit by the south rather than everyone entering and leaving through one set of doors.

Although it’s designated the buyer’s dinner, the event is also open to the 4-H and FFA youth who are selling animals in the market livestock auction that officially caps the Sheridan County Fair.

The event also draws those who merely come to watch, like Helen Mitchell, who said she attends the dinner just about every year.

Davidson said she had no idea how long the Cattle Women have been serving the annual buyer’s dinner, but she’s been involved since around 1992 or ’93. She added she’s been chairing the event for most of that time.

She said the food served in the dinner is provided through donations from area businesses.