We caught up with Mr. Darin Annuschat to learn more about his hometown before he steps “Inside the Ring” to sort the Junior Market Lamb Show at the 2025 Illinois State Fair. Get to know Darin below!
Where did you grow up?
Kingfisher, OK
How many kids were in your graduating class?
90ish – Class of 2007
If we go back to your senior year of high school, what song was “your song”?
All sorts of mainstream country…guilty as charged! For one song though, we have to move past senior year to August 2007 in Warner, OK. Crank Dat (Soulja Boy)
Were you involved in any extracurricular activities? If so, what?
Obviously, FFA was an enormous part of my high school career. I was part of fairly successful football team, I enjoyed baseball, and was pretty decent. However, those spring livestock judging practices came first.
If you could describe your hometown in one word, what would it be?
Perfect. Honestly, during my tenure Kingfisher was a tremendously supportive, engaging, and competitive atmosphere for young people to thrive.
Were there any local traditions or festivals you loved?
The normal comes to mind…homecoming parades, county fairs, the 4th of July. The unique events to me would be Winter Nights, a local Christmas light display, the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church Turkey Dinner, and an Easter Egg hunt in Loyal, OK.
If someone were visiting your hometown for the first time, what’s the one thing they must do?
Even though a graduate of Kingfisher, we’re headed south on this one. If you haven’t been to Eischen’s, you’re not living life.
Are there any people in your hometown who shaped who you are today?
Mom and Dad, Doug, Sheila, Denise, all the Uncles (IFYKYK). We did it together and that’s what it was about.
I owe an unbelievable amount to Mr. Ryan Burns and his wife Lori. The best to ever do it.
There’s no way I can’t mention a few people past once I left my hometown… Scott Clawson, Blake Nelson, Brandon Gunn, Dr. Mark Johnson, & Dr. Jerry Fitch.
