The 2016 Pike County Fair opens Tuesday night at the Pike County Fairgrounds and the sponsoring Troy Shrine Club is expecting to have one of the biggest and best county fairs ever in Pike County.

Homer Homann, president of the Troy Shrine Club, said the Shriners are proud to working with the local 4-H and FFA clubs to extend an area of interest to the fair’s Livestock Barn.

“The Livestock Barn is always a popular place,” Homann said. “People of all ages enjoy animals. We’ll have cattle, horses, mules, pigs, rabbits, poultry and often a few unusual animals. This year on Tuesday night, we’ll have a fantastic poultry display. These chickens were raised by 4-H’ers who participated in the Cackle Club project.

“On Thursday night, we have the showing and judging of the pigs raised by 4-H’ers and FFA members in the county’s first Pig Pen project.”

Heath Wesley, Pike County Extension coordinator, said the 4-H’ers and FFA members have spent many hours caring for their animals and, in the process, they have learned a lot.

“The pigs are a market project so the kids have learned marketing skills in addition to record keeping and the daily care of their animals,” Wesley said. “The ones who are participating in the Cackle Club are also learning about egg production and some of them are selling their eggs to family members. So, both projects have been good learning experiences.”

Wesley said participating in the county fair is also a learning experience. “We are also supporting the Troy Shrine Club,” he said. “A lot of counties don’t have county fairs anymore. We are blessed to have a county fair and want to support it as well.”

Homann said the community is encouraged to visit the Livestock Barn while at the fair and support these young people who are part of the agricultural community. Homann said the Troy Shrine Club also has an outstanding lineup of entertainment planned for this year’s county fair.

The Benton Brothers and Company will be at The Pavilion on opening night followed by the Alcazar Shrine Band and Johnny Barron and the Waterfall Children’s Band Showcase on Wednesday night.

The SheBANG! cloggers will be on stage Thursday night along with the Lighthouse String Ensemble.

Johnny Barron and the Waterfall Children’s Band will be back at the Pavilion Friday night.

Perfection and Grace, a big-time band with music for all ages, will close out the entertainment for the 2016 Pike County Fair.