It’s that time of year again, the Pearl River County Fair is happening this week.

This is the fair’s 70^th year, Eddie Smith, the Pearl River County Agriculture Agent and County Coordinator for the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said.

The fair is sponsored by the Pearl River County Board of Supervisors and managed by the MSU Extension office, Smith said.

There are three main attractions at the fair this year, the exhibit building, the livestock shows and the rodeo.

The exhibit building houses the arts and crafts entries, Smith said. There is no age limit on entrants, however he or she must be a resident of Pearl River County.

Smith said there are numerous categories judged; including, plants, crops, photography, flower arrangements and baked goods. Smith said there are more than 1,000 exhibits in the building.

Livestock shows will showcase a variety of animal breeds which include, goats, sheep, pigs, farm poultry, rabbits and cows, Smith said.

The animals are judged on each particular breed’s standards, Smith said.

“This year we have added a new element to the livestock show,” Smith said. “We will host a sale of champions and people can bid on the animals in an auction type setting.”

The fair will close with a rodeo on Friday and Saturday night.

“The rodeo will include calf roping and wrestling, bull riding and of course rodeo clowns,” Smith said.

Smith said the rodeo is the fair’s most popular event, so much so that there is usually standing room only.

There will also be carnival rides available throughout the day, Smith said.

“We invite everyone to come and see the exhibits,” Smith said. “We also encourage anyone that didn’t enter an exhibit this year to enter one for next year. It doesn’t cost anything to enter the competitions.”

There are a few special events, Smith said. On Friday there is a pet show at 2 p.m. and youth 19 and younger are encouraged to bring their pet. The pets will be judged on best-dressed, best tricks and sizes.

On Saturday, the classic car show begins at 9 a.m. and lasts until 3 p.m.

“We have a new event this year called the cowboy mounted shooting demonstrations,” Smith said. “The cowboys will demonstrate how to shoot targets while atop their horse.”

Smith said that all proceeds from the fair are used to cover fair expenses, cash prizes for ribbon winners and any remaining funds are used to make improvements to the fairgrounds.

The fair is being held at the Pearl River County Fairgrounds in Poplarville.

The fairgrounds will be open to the public today from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The rodeo will be held on Friday and Saturday night at the fairgrounds beginning at 7.

The cost of adult tickets (13 and older) is $10, student tickets (ages 6-12) are $5 and children 5 years and younger are free, Smith said.

On Friday, Smith said, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the cost of a carnival ride armband will be $20. On Saturday, carnival ride tickets will be $1.25 for a single, $20 for 20 tickets and tickets will be half-price from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, find the Pearl River County Fair and Rodeo through Facebook.