People from across the area will want to attend the 74th annual Pearl River County Fair and Livestock Show that will take this weekend at the Pearl River County Fairground.

The event will feature carnival rides and food, along with opportunities for county residents to show off their artistic abilities and canning skills. A rodeo will be held two nights during the event.

Dr. Eddie Smith, Extension Agent for the Mississippi State University Pearl River County Extension Service, said he is looking forward to another great event this year and is hoping for good weather. Last year, in spite of the rain, there was a larger turnout than the year before, Smith said.

This year, the modified schedule will remain intact to allow more people to participate in the pet show and field day events. Field day will be held on Saturday, Sept. 1, beginning at 1 p.m.

The pet show will be held Aug. 31 starting at 5:30 p.m. Smith said the pet show was moved to later in the day to allow ample time for young Pearl River County residents to ready their entries after school.

Within the vendor building, attendees can find arts and crafts for sale. An addition to this year’s event will be the availability of old timey kettle corn.

Members of the Pearl River County 4H Club will staff the concession stand inside the fairground arena, the proceeds of which will benefit the club.

Children can enter livestock they raised in the livestock show, which include rabbits, goats, sheep, cattle, pigs and chickens, among others.

Monetary prizes will be issued to the winners.

This year a number of young people have entered their livestock. According to information provided by the Extension Service, there will be a total of 2,441 exhibits in this year’s event. Most of those exhibits will be in the youth indoor exhibit category (1,596), which includes school projects. Other exhibits will be from 21 children in 14 classes who will show off a total of 27 horses.

Three entries have been registered in the beef show and seven children will display 22 dairy cattle.

In the poultry and rabbits category, there will be a total of 113 exhibits. 

Judging of arts and crafts will be conducted by extension agents from neighboring areas, while livestock judging will be conducted by hired professionals, Smith said.

On Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 at 8 p.m. the rodeo will be held. Smith said the rodeos are very popular, often drawing in standing room only crowds.

An armband day for the carnival rides will be Aug. 29, at a cost of $17 per armband. A second armband day will be Aug. 31 for $20 per armband.

The Pearl River County Fairground is located on Highway 26 in Poplarville near the National Guard Armory.