The sixth 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 brought back the popular Draft Horse Pull that starts at 10 a.m. Saturday and a Champion Livestock Auction that will be held Saturday at 3 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 will participate in the livestock and poultry events.
The youth livestock events begin Friday at 5 p.m. with the Dairy Goat Showmanship, Dairy Goat Show, Meat Goat Showmanship, Breeding Does, Market Goats, Sheep Showmanship, Breeding Sheep and Market Lambs 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.
At 6 p.m., judging begins for the Poultry Chain Birds and Open Class Poultry.
Saturday has a full day of youth with the 4-H/FFA Poultry Showmanship kicking things off at 9 a.m. with showmanship judging. 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.
The second year of the Youth Livestock Auction starts at 3 p.m. where the “Best of Botetourt’s Youth Livestock” animals and poultry from the youth livestock market divisions will be sold. Two hogs, one lamb and 15 poultry are scheduled to be sold.
Purchase of these animals supports the future projects and education of their youth owners, while provided locally produced food products for the buyers. The Poultry Chain auction provides funds for next year’s youth who raise poultry.
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.
Among the demonstrations during the day will be the band saw sawmill, goat milking, goat yoga, sheep sheering and educational program on dairy and beef cows.
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. A variety of concessions also will be available, including Lord Botetourt High School FFA’s pork chop sandwiches.
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 473-8260, email Kate Lawrence at mcl87@vt.edu or visit the Botetourt County Fair website at https://botetourtcountyfair.com/.
