Chardonnay Copeland, Campus Carrier Staff Reporter
The 65th Annual Coosa Valley Fair, also known as “Fall’s Finest Festival”, is in full swing this week with a wide array of activities for all ages. This year, Berry faculty, staff and students will be participating in various events and activities. The fair began on Tuesday, Oct. 1 and will continue until midnight Saturday, Oct. 5.
Iris Peeler, Berry’s Dairy Supervisor, confirmed some of our very own Berry livestock will be on display all week within the livestock pavilion, though no one will be showing the animals in competition. Student Enterprise banners and information about tours are displayed as well.
On Thursday, Oct. 3 the Berry equestrian team will do an informative exhibition. There will be two sessions, one at 6:15 p.m. and at 7:15 p.m. They will feature a demonstration with the horses, as well as provide information about the team and Berry’s animal science program. This event will be primarily student-led, since Berry students regularly work with the animals. The demonstration will take place behind the livestock pavilion.
The students and staff are looking forward to participating in the fair. “Many people (outside Berry) don’t realize how involved students are with the animals and the scope of our animal science program,” Kevin Ellis, barn manager at The Gunby Center, said.
Barbara Carter, assistant professor of the kinesiology department, has been a volunteer for the fair for 40 years. She recommends that students check out the homemaking exhibits, the flower show, the village shops, the art and photography exhibits and the livestock exhibits, which Berry participates in during the fair. This year, Carter is serving on the agricultural committee in the livestock area and the admissions committee.
Other special events for this year’s fair include the annual cheerleading competition and Coosa Valley Fair pageants throughout the week. New attractions for this year include the On the Edge Two-Wheel Action Show from Birmingham, Ala. on Friday night and Banana Derby Races, in which monkeys dressed as jockeys ride large dogs.
The fair is sponsored each year by the Exchange Club of Rome and proceeds will benefit the local Family Resource Center, which provides education and support services to families in and around Floyd County.
A crowd of approximately 80,000 is expected, making it one of the area’s largest events (we need a source here). Admission for adults is $5 and all-inclusive wristbands are available nightly for $20 on weeknights and $25 on Saturday. For a complete schedule of events and information, visit www.coosavalleyfair.com.
