The 72nd annual Pearl River County Fair beings Saturday and will end on Sep. 3 with the county rodeo.
Dr. Eddie Smith, the fair manager from the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said attendance for the fair has been increasing in recent years with an average of 10,000 visitors.
Smith said the event draws visitors from Pearl River County, Louisiana and other parts of Mississippi.
“Any time we can bring people from outside of the county into the county to shop and spend some money here it helps the local economy,” County Administrator Adrain Lumpkin said.
Money raised from carnival rides will go toward competition awards.
Saturday’s events include a kid’s horse show, open to anyone younger than 18.
All county residents are able to participate in any of the events or exhibitions.
On Monday and Tuesday, preparations will take place for exhibits to be judged on Wednesday.
“I think the most exciting thing is we’ve moved our pet show, to 5:30 p.m. on Friday to allow kids to participate after school,” Smith said.
The pet show features a wide variety of unusual pets, including skunks and wildcats, Smith said.
“If it’s an animal, it can be entered,” Smith said.
He said there are a number of different pet categories with multiple opportunities to win a prize.
The rodeo on Friday and Saturday night is also one of the most popular events, Lumpkin said.
This year, the fair added another set of bleachers to the grounds that will be able to seat an additional 150 people, Smith said.
Even with the additional seating, Smith encouraged spectators to arrive early for the rodeo in order to get a good seat.
This year, they also moved the chicken pens closer to the storm shelter where more activities take place, Smith said.
He said they are trying to consolidate exhibits to reduce walking distances.
The Pearl River County Board of Supervisors sponsors the annual fair, which is now in its 72nd year.
Entry to the fair and competitions are free, as well as parking at the fair grounds and the old National Guard Amory.
Parking on Highway 26 is discouraged because there is ample space to park on the fairgrounds, Smith said.
“There’s something that goes on about three or four nights this week,” Lumpkin said.
Whether it’s participating in an event, shopping at local vendors or partaking in carnival rides, “there’s something any family can do,” Lumpkin said.
A full list of events can be found on the Pearl River County Fair & Rodeo Facebook page. For more information, call 601-403-2280.
The fairgrounds are located on Rodeo Street off Highway 26 in Poplarville.