A highlight of this year’s Franklin County Agricultural Fair will be the various pet and livestock shows.
The animal shows have been expanded to include a wide variety of animals, including beef cows, dairy cows, llamas, alpacas, swine, sheep, goats, dogs, poultry, and “small critters,” according to Cynthia Martel with Virginia Cooperative Extension.
“Unlike last year when only youths could show, the competitions this year are now open to all ages, starting with 3-year-olds,” Martel said. “We are also excited to offer special needs youth and adults the opportunity to show during the fair.
A different show or competition will be held each day of fair week.
On Wednesday, Sept. 23, a dog show will kick off the week at 5:30 p.m.
The show will feature adult and junior showmanship classes that are judged on the ability of the handler, 21 exhibition/breed classes that are judged solely on the animal and four performance classes.
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Ribbons will be available for the first six placings in each class with grand ribbons going to the Best in Show and Best Junior Showman.
Registration on Wednesday begins at 5 p.m., and all dogs must remain on a leash. Participants must bring rabies and vaccination paperwork.
On Thursday, Sept. 24, the fair will host the Small Critters and Poultry Show. Registration will begin at 5 p.m. with the show starting at 5:30 p.m.
This show will feature adult and junior showmanship classes; nine small critters exhibition/breed classes to include rabbits, rats, mice, hedge hogs, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, ferrets, and others; along with other competitions for Cutest Critter, Smallest Critter and Hairiest Critter.
The poultry show will be held at the same time and will judge adult and junior showmanship, as well as different types of chickens, bantams, ducks and turkeys.
Ribbons will be available for the first six placings in each class with grand ribbons going to the Best in Show and Best Junior Showman.
Virginia state law requires all poultry shown in exhibition to be tested for pullorum typhoid disease or originate from certified pullorum typhoid free flocks. All birds entered in this fair must have been tested prior to being brought to the fairgrounds, unless prior arrangements are made with the show superintendent for testing at the fair. Birds must wear test leg bands unless they originate from pullorum free flocks.
A copy of test papers must be given to the show superintendent.
Testing will be available on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 3 p.m. at a fee of $1 per bird.
Exhibitors must provide their own cages, food and water during the length of the show.
On Friday, Sept. 25, the Swine, Sheep and Goat Show will take over the large shelter at the fairgrounds.
Registration will begin at 5 p.m. with the show starting at 5:30 p.m.
There will be adult and junior showmanship classes that are judged on the ability of the handler for each part of the show: swine, sheep and goat. There will also be numerous exhibition/breed classes for swine (market hogs, gilts and boars), sheep (market lambs and ewes) and goats (market goats, meat does and dairy goats).
Ribbons will be available for the first six placings in each class with grand ribbons going to the Best in Show and Best Junior Showman.
The excitement will culminate with a Llama/Alpaca, Beef and Dairy Show on Saturday, Sept. 26.
Registration for the Llama/Alpaca Show begins at 11 a.m. with the show running from noon to 2 p.m.
The Beef and Dairy Show will begin registration at 4:30 p.m. with the show running from 5 to 8 p.m.
Llamas and alpacas will participate in an obstacle course, which will be the sole source of judging. The Beef and Dairy Show will include adult and junior showmanship classes, as well as approximately 20 different exhibition/breed classes.
Ribbons will be available for the first six placings in each class with grand ribbons going to the Best in Show and Best Junior Showman.
Registration packets, including rules, regulations and entry fees, can be found on the Franklin County Agricultural Fair Website at www.FCAgFair.com. To compete, download and complete the appropriate show packet and return it with the entry fee as directed.
Registration fees for each day are dependent on the animal type and number entered.
Entries can be submitted through the day of each show. To compete, download and complete the appropriate Show Packet and return it with the entry fee as directed.
For more information on any of the livestock shows, contact Cynthia Martel at Virginia Cooperative Extension at (540) 483-5161 or cmartel@vt.edu.
