Livestock fills Gibson Co. Fairgrounds for opening day

TRENTON, Tenn. — Livestock filled the fairgrounds Monday morning in Gibson County as eager students showed off the animals they’ve raised.

Families were there to support their young farmers.

“You’ve got cattle, sheep, a little bit of everything out here, and it’s just pretty enjoyable for families and people to come together,” proud family member Ernest Haynes said.

“Later this evening, they’ll actually do a sale where they’ll auction off the animals and they raise money, and that money goes to these kids that work so hard raising the livestock,” Jill Howell said. Howell helps organize the livestock events.

But the livestock is only the beginning of this 161-year tradition.

“It’s something they just grow up doing, and our son’s involved, and it just keeps going for generations,” Howell said.

There will be a fair share of fair food including funnel cakes, corn dogs and chicken on a stick.

Each attendee has their favorite treat.

“Getting caramel apples,” Chase Haynes said when asked about his favorite snack.

Kids like Chase also look forward to the rides.

“Me and my sister, my dad and my mom, we get on the Ferris wheel, and my dad rocks it when it gets to the top,” Chase said.

The oldest running continuing fair in the South opens with a big night for the kids.

“Tonight I think is the big night for the kids — it’s bracelet night, and the rides open and everything else,” Howell said.

Admission into the fairgrounds is free each night.

Click here to see all of the week’s events.