The Benton County Fair hosts a one-of-a-kind youth competition
By Steve Wilcox
David Joyner is match director for the Benton County Fair youth shooting and archery contest and he knows how it works – from the beginning .
“ The ( Benton County ) fair board asked me to help out . I ’ ve been a youth shooting sports instructor for 27 years and they asked me to put our group together and put this contest on for the kids ,” said Joyner . All three of his children were involved in youth shooting and archery competitions and now his grandchildren are in the mix . “ This will be our fifth year coming up in 2024 .”
There are three competitions : air rifle for ages 14-18 , BB gun for ages 9-13 , and junior archery for ages 9-13 with a senior division for ages 14-18 . The program is open to anyone who meets the age criteria . All equipment is provided for the competition and no personal equipment is allowed .
“ The BB gun is for the younger kids because they ’ re lighter and easier for them to handle and the air rifle is for the older kids because they ’ re considerably heavier ,” said Joyner . Archery covers both younger and older competitors .
This competition is unique to the northwest corner of the state . “ At least in Arkansas , Benton County is the first to make this competition part of the county fair ,” he said . “ All the feedback has been positive . It ’ s grown a little bit every year . It ’ s a safety-based contest ; we do the safety orientation , explain the rules of safe gun handling and the kids have to take a written exam as part of the contest .”
Contestants can win ribbons and prizes in the competition . The top three places are recognized in the contest , with additional competitors coming away with ribbons .
More than 40 competitors came out for the youth shooting and archery contest in 2023 . Sign-up information is included in this booklet on pages 91 and 92 .
Varied skills are required in the contest . “ The first thing is safety , that ’ s always the first thing anytime you ’ re handling a firearm or bow ,” said Joyner . “ There ’ s an emphasis on STEM ( science , technology , engineering and math ) and STEAM ( science , technology , engineering , the arts and math ) these days , and competitors in these contests need those skills as well . Nothing flies straight ; everything goes back to the ground eventually . Gravity ’ s a real thing .” The competition takes place in the fairgrounds arena . The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission comes in and helps with manpower needs while providing targets for the archery portion of the competition . Volunteers are made up of parents from the youth shooting and archery group in Benton County , the Ozark Youth Shooting Team .
“ We have a booth at the fair and the group ( youth shooting team ) is highly active in conservation fundraisers for groups like the National Turkey Federation , Ducks Unlimited and quail conservation ,” said Joyner . “ Our kids work hard to support those organizations .”
If you ’ re a young dead-eye shooter , then the Benton County Fair youth shooting and archery contest is the right place to be . This might be the perfect time to test your meddle against your peers . It ’ s a free and easy way to find out where you stand .
Shooting and archery contest will be Thursday , Sept . 26 at 6:30 p . m . Horse Arena .
2024 Benton County Fair 24 120 Years - 1904-2024