The weather cooperated, mostly, and the newly-added draft horse pull brought out a crowd of spectators Saturday morning for the fifth annual Botetourt County Fair in Buchanan.

“We were overwhelmed by the record-breaking crowd and obvious support for Botetourt County agriculture that our community displayed this past weekend,” Botetourt Extension Agent and one of the fair organizers Katherine Carter said.

“ It was rewarding to see county youth exhibit their animals and then sell the finished product, while one of our county’s oldest ag traditions, the draft horse pull, was simultaneously drawing the attention of both young and old.”

That sale was the first livestock auction the fair has held since it was reborn in 2013. FFA and 4-Hers who exhibited sheep, hogs and cattle at the fair were offered the chance to sell them during the auction that wrapped up the events Saturday afternoon.

Youth who participated in the Poultry Chain also auctioned five of their best hens to fund next year’s Poultry Chain.

The fair featured the livestock shows, poultry judging, 4-H booths, agriculture-related vendors, the Homemakers Show with entries in a number of categories that ranged from eggs and vegetables to cakes and quilts, and a variety of agriculture-related demonstrations. The FFA chapters from Lord Botetourt and James River High Schools sold food

The draft horse pull was a big hit. Spectators filled the bleachers and gathered in chairs and stood around the pulling ground above the James River while pairs of horses and mules took turns trying to move a weighted-down sled 27’ 6”.

The fair got accolades Monday night at the Buchanan Town Council’s regular monthly meeting, too.

“A heartfelt thank you to all the exhibitors,  spectators,  volunteers and sponsors who made the Fifth Annual Botetourt County Fair the biggest and best yet,” Carter added.

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