The fifth edition of the Botetourt County Fair has a full lineup of activities, shows, judging, livestock, farm-related demonstrations and exhibits beginning this Friday evening and continuing through the day Saturday at the Buchanan Town Park on Lowe Street.
The fair organizers— the Botetourt County Extension Service agents Kate Lawrence and Katherine Carter— have also added a Draft Horse Pull that starts at 9 a.m. Saturday and a Champion Livestock Auction that will be held Saturday at 4 p.m.
Admission to the family-friendly event is free and provides an opportunity to observe many facets of Botetourt County agriculture and enjoy an old-fashioned county fair atmosphere.
Local 4-H and FFA youth and others from across Virginia will participate in the livestock, horse, and poultry events with entries expected from as far away as Harrisonburg and Carroll Counties.
The youth livestock events begin Friday night at 5 p.m. with the Dairy Goat, Meat Goat, and Sheep showmanship and confirmation classes. 4-H and FFA youth ages 9-19 are eligible to compete and there will be Cloverbud classes for youth ages 5-8.
A 4-H/FFA Youth Horse Show for ages 9-19 is also be on tap for Friday night and will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday has a full day of local and statewide youth with the Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, and Hog Showmanship and Confirmation classes beginning at 10 a.m. in the Rockingham Co-op Livestock Tent.
Youth will demonstrate their knowledge and abilities of species-specific animal husbandry while competing for ribbons and prizes.
A youth poultry show is also scheduled with bird take-in on Friday evening from 3-6 p.m. Bird Confirmation will be judged on Friday evening beginning at 7. Saturday, youth will participate in Poultry Showmanship beginning at 10 a.m.
New to this year’s will be the Youth Livestock Auction where the champion animals from the youth livestock market divisions will be sold.
In addition to the pullets from the Poultry Chain Project, the champion market steers, market hogs, market lambs and market goats will be sold to the highest bidder at 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 12.
Purchase of these animals supports the future projects and education of their youth owners, while provided locally produced food products for the buyers.
The Homemaking Division open to youth and adults will take entries from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, August 11 and those entries will be on display to the public all day Saturday, August 12. Entries for baked goods, canned goods, crafts, sewing projects, photography, and much more will be accepted.
During the Draft Horse Pull, draft horses and mules from across the region will compete for prizes and trophies as they demonstrate their strength and pulling capabilities.
Local talent performances are scheduled throughout the weekend with Botetourt County 4-H musical talent being highlighted on the Farm Bureau Talent Stage beginning at noon Saturday.
A variety of other local musicians will perform throughout the weekend with a special performance by Narrow Path Bluegrass on Friday evening at 7.
Vendors specializing in locally grown or created food, crafts and other products will be on hand and public service organizations also will be sharing free information. Agricultural demonstrations including sheep shearing, cow milking, dairy goat management and many others will be offered throughout the day.
A variety of concessions also will be available.
For more information on what animals will be available for sale and details on the livestock auction, contact Katherine Carter, 4-H Youth Development Agent, at 473-8260 or carterke@vt.edu.
And for more information on rules and entry forms regarding the competitive events as well as a complete schedule of events, call the Botetourt County Extension Office at 540-473-8260, email Kate Lawrence at mcl87@vt.edu or visit the Botetourt County Fair website at https://botetourtcountyfair.com/.