Alachua Lions Club Hosts 86th Annual Cattlemen's Banquet

Decades-old community tradition celebrates agriculture, service, and local icons

Apr. 15, 2026 at 2:08am

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A bold, colorful silkscreen illustration featuring a repeating pattern of a classic cowboy boot in a vibrant neon color palette, capturing the celebratory and iconic nature of the Alachua Lions Club's longstanding Cattlemen's Banquet.The Alachua Lions Club's annual Cattlemen's Banquet celebrates the community's agricultural heritage and enduring spirit of service.Alachua Today

The Alachua Lions Club hosted its 86th annual Cattlemen's Banquet on March 24, 2026, continuing a longstanding tradition that dates back to 1940. The event drew over 400 attendees for an evening of fellowship, entertainment, and community support, featuring a festive reception, live music, a formal program, and the presentation of the Cattleman of the Year award to Dr. Timothy T. Marshall, a longtime educator and leader in the beef cattle industry.

Why it matters

The Cattlemen's Banquet is one of the community's longest-running traditions, originating in 1940 when the Alachua Lions Club members rallied to support local FFA students by bidding on a student-raised steer. Over the decades, the event has evolved into a cornerstone fundraiser supporting sight, hearing, youth, and community programs throughout Alachua County, showcasing the Lions Club's enduring commitment to service and the region's agricultural heritage.

The details

This year's banquet featured a festive reception on the veranda with appetizers and live music, followed by a formal program in the main hall. The event was emceed by State Representative Chad Johnson and included a lively performance by Nashville-based entertainer Jim Getzen. The evening's highlight was the presentation of the 2026 Cattleman of the Year award to Dr. Timothy T. Marshall, a University of Florida professor recognized for his decades of mentoring students and leadership in the beef cattle industry. The banquet also included special tributes to longtime local icons Dr. Christine Hirsch and Sonny's BBQ founder Floyd 'Sonny' Tillman, who both passed away in 2025.

  • The 86th annual Cattlemen's Banquet was held on March 24, 2026.
  • The Alachua Lions Club has hosted the event since 1940.

The players

Alachua Lions Club

A local service organization that has hosted the Cattlemen's Banquet, the oldest continuous Lions Club fundraiser in Florida, since 1940.

Bill Johnson

The current president of the Alachua Lions Club.

Sue Rogers

The Lions District Governor who led the Pledge of Allegiance at the event.

Dr. Timothy T. Marshall

The 2026 Cattleman of the Year, a longtime educator, mentor, and leader in the beef cattle industry.

Dr. Christine Hirsch

A longtime Alachua Lions Club member and local educator who was honored at the event.

Floyd 'Sonny' Tillman

The founder of Sonny's BBQ, a local icon who was also honored at the event.

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What’s next

The Alachua Lions Club is already planning for the 87th annual Cattlemen's Banquet, which will likely take place in March 2027 and continue the event's long tradition of supporting local initiatives and honoring community leaders.

The takeaway

The Alachua Lions Club's Cattlemen's Banquet is a shining example of how a community organization can preserve and build upon a longstanding tradition to create lasting impact. By blending agricultural heritage, service, and local recognition, the event has become a beloved annual celebration that brings the Alachua community together around shared values of fellowship, philanthropy, and pride in their agricultural roots.