Don't forget, the county fair opens tomorrow. Each day for the next nine days this newspaper (The Robesonian) will provide daily coverage about the fair and will provide a schedule of what will be happening the next day.

Our county fair is a one of the best county agricultural fairs in the Carolinas. Naturally, there will be a lot of carnival rides, foods that can only be found at a county fair, and a great variety of entertainment for everyone. But this county fair will provide a tremendous amount of agricultural-related exhibits and activities.

The Robeson County Master Gardeners will provide an outstanding Urban Horticultural exhibit that will not only be interesting, it will be educational as well. There will be all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and nuts entered in the various exhibit classes. Many of our agricultural-related groups, such as Cooperative Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Bureau, and the FFA chapters, will have educational booths for you to enjoy.

A highlight of any county agricultural fair, and a major component of your fair, are the animal exhibits and shows. When asked, many people indicate that one of the main reasons for going to the fair is to see the animals.

During the coming nine days, you will be able to enjoy one of the largest horse shows to be held in the region. Beginning at 12 noon on Saturday, October 4, and lasting until 9:00 that night, the Border Belt Horse Association from this area and the Sandlappers Horse Association from South Carolina will provide a full day of horse activities. Hundreds of horses and their riders will compete for prizes and cash in dozens of different categories.

There will be a great variety of animals on display in the livestock building. Not only will you be able to see some of the animals that will be competing in the various livestock shows, you will be able to talk to their owners as well. There will be several exhibits featuring newly born animals, such as calves, pigs, and chickens. A special exhibit on certain days of the fair will feature a team of oxen weighing over 2,000 pounds each.

Robeson County Farm Bureau is sponsoring one of the best petting zoos to ever appear on this fairgrounds. Featured will be a large assortment of not only traditional farm animals but exotic animals as well. Pony rides will be available, and children will be able to go into the pens with animals to pet them.

One of the great things about county agricultural fairs is that it provides a great opportunity for young people to not only see and touch animals, it also provides young people the opportunity to show animals they have raised from babies in the various livestock shows that will be conducted during the week of the fair.

Many of the youth who will be showing animals are involved in an assortment of 4-H animal science projects. These youth were provided chickens, goats, rabbits, or turkeys to allow them to conduct a 4-H project about animals. They must care for the animals throughout the year. But as part of their project, they must also keep a detailed record book and must show the animal during the county fair.

Some of these youth become very attached to their animals and almost consider them as part of the family. Some of them will take their animals on to compete in other county fairs in the region and at the North Carolina State Fair.

There is no better way for a young person to learn responsibility and to develop skills that will last a lifetime than to raise a farm animal and then show that animal in competitive livestock shows. Although many of the animals owned by young people who you will see at the fair are part of the 4-H animal science program, being a member of a 4-H club is not required. Any youth can raise animals and show them in the county fair.

If you have a child or grandchild who is interested in farm animals, please contact the Robeson County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service at 910-671-3276 and ask for assistance and support. Our 4-H staff and livestock agents will be glad to work with your child to teach them not only how to properly care for the animal but also how to prepare the animal for competitive events and how to properly show the animal in livestock shows. Hopefully, we will see your child, along with their animal, competing in the show ring at the county fair next year.

There is no way I can share with you all the great things you can see at the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair. Come on out and see for yourself.

E-mail address: Everett_Davis@ncsu.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 12/09/03