Club members and volunteers are putting the finishing touches onthe park in preparation for the Exchange Club Fair that startsSaturday evening.

“We’re continuing to spruce up the park,” said Ted Ratcliff,club president.

The fair opens Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and goes through Saturday,Aug. 7. The fair will be closed Sunday.

Park preparations have been going on each night this week at thepark. Ratcliff said those were going well and a safety check of therides would be done Friday.

“I think the Midway Kitchen will be finished setting up Friday,”Ratcliff said Thursday evening.

Club members and volunteers worked Thursday on a new kiddie ridethis year. The ride is the Big Red Train, although it won’t run ontracks.

“It’ll take the kids on an adventure through the trees,”Ratcliff said.

Other events held in conjunction with fair include the LincolnCounty 4-H pet show and livestock show, sponsored by the LincolnCounty Livestock Association.

Lincoln County 4-H will hold its annual Pet Show at the ExchangeClub Fair Thursday at 6 p.m. Youth from throughout the LincolnCounty area are invited to participate, said Amanda Walker, 4-Hyouth agent.

Categories in the event include: Most Unusual Eyes, OwnerLook-a-like, Cutest Pet, Most Vocal, Best Dressed Pet, SmartestPet, Shortest Legs, Most Colorful, Biggest Eyes, Curliest Hair,Longest Tail, & Dirtiest Pet.

Youth do not have to be a member of 4-H to participate in thepet show but are encouraged to join, Walker said. All pets shouldbe on a leash or contained in a pet taxi or box.

A Sheep & Goat Show will be held Thursday immediatelyfollowing the pet show. Organizers are expected for a good turnoutfor the events.

“We’re going to have a large crowd,” said Mike Byrne, programassistant for the Alcorn Cooperative Extension Program. “It lookslike the sheep and goat show will be the largest in severalyears.”

Lincoln County 4-H members will display their 4-H livestockprojects beginning Wednesday at 7 p.m. through August 6. That isthe deadline for livestock arrival at the fair, official said.

The public is invited to view all of the 4-H livestock projects,Walker said.

A mini class will be held for all youth under age 8 to encourageinterest in showing livestock, Walker said. Mini classes are opento all youth under eight years of age. Youth that wish toparticipate should arrive a few minutes early to secure ananimal.

A celebrity showmanship class will also be held at the livestockshow. All 4-H youth are encouraged to recruit a local celebrity forthe show, Walker said.

Anyone with questions about livestock show-related activitiescan contact the Lincoln County 4-H office at 835-3460.

On Friday at 6 p.m. there will be a cattle show for 4-H andFuture Farmers of America members.