The Chattooga County Agricultural Fair opens Thursday, and while the rides, music, food and entertainment are popular attractions, agriculture has always been at the heart of the fair.

That tradition will be on full display throughout the four-day event as local young people showcase months of hard work through the fair’s livestock shows.

The livestock schedule begins Thursday at 5:30 p.m. with the Junior Market Goat Show.

On Friday at 5:30 p.m., exhibitors return to the show ring for the Junior Market Lamb Show.

Saturday features a full afternoon and evening of agricultural activities. The Junior Beef Show begins at 1 p.m., followed by poultry judging at 4 p.m. Poultry awards will be announced at 6:30 p.m., with the poultry auction beginning at 7 p.m.

The livestock events continue Sunday with the Junior Dairy Show at 1 p.m. and the Market Hog Preview Show at 6 p.m.

These events highlight the dedication and hard work of Chattooga County’s FFA and 4-H students, who spend countless hours caring for their animals, learning about livestock production and preparing to compete in the show ring.

For these students, livestock projects are about much more than winning ribbons. They teach responsibility, animal husbandry, agriculture, record keeping and the commitment required to care for an animal every day.

The livestock shows also give fairgoers an opportunity to see firsthand the role agriculture continues to play in Chattooga County and to support the next generation of local farmers and agricultural leaders.

All livestock events will be held at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center in Summerville. The shows are free to watch with the fair’s $5 gate admission, and the livestock barn will be open throughout fair hours.

The Chattooga County Agricultural Fair runs Thursday, August 27 through Sunday, August 30.