The Greatest Show | OYE | Spring 2020
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For nearly 20 years, there has been one constant at the Oklahoma Youth Expo. One man, who’s work begins far ahead of the first trailer’s arrival, before the first bag of shavings is opened and certainly before the first banner is handed out. His day begins well before the coffee is brewed and the sun even thinks of peaking above the horizon, and his day isn’t over until after the sun has set. Yet, every day, the gates are unlocked, the rings are set, and the lights are on, all thanks to Gary Robinson. “Gary makes it all happen,” OYE Director of Special Events, Melissa Eisenhauer said. “From the first truckload of dirt that goes in, to every panel put up and every wire tightened, Gary does it all. “If it isn’t done and done right, we don’t have a show,” she said. For 16 years, Gary and Melissa have worked together at the Oklahoma Youth Expo.
“The first time I met Gary, I knew I would love him,” Melissa said. “Gary came up to me day one of my first OYE as staff and said, ‘Whatever you need and whatever you need done, just let me know.’” Always with a smirk on his face and a witty retort such as, “Handy as a pocket on a shirt,” or, “Hurry every chance you get,” Gary is there every step of the way. Throughout all 10 days of the world’s largest junior livestock show you’ll find Gary, scooting around on his golf cart, outfitted with every tool for any job and a solution for every problem. “From baling wire, zip ties, a chain or two, or pliers, because you never know what you might need, Gary has it all in his trusty cart” Melissa said. Gary is more than just handy, he’s familiar with the ins and outs
