GALLIPOLIS - Projects for the 59th annual Gallia County Junior Fair are either above or at the same levels as they were for the 2007 exposition, an indication that interest in 4-H and agriculture remains high among local youth.

“The projects are good and we will have a fine fair,” said Tracy Winters, Ohio State University Extension Educator for 4-H/youth development and Extension's chair for Gallia County. “We have lots of animal projects coming back this year.

“All of our animal projects are up or where they were at this time last year,” she continued. “Most of our Activities Building projects are on the increase this year.”

Winters attributed the steady stream of projects and participation in the fair, which begins its six-day stand at the fairgrounds Monday, to a corresponding increase in 4-H club participation in the past year.

Projects are moving into the barns today in preparation for the opening of the fair, a celebration of 4-H, FFA and Girl Scout and non-livestock endeavor that participants have worked on for the past year.

“There are lots of volunteers working hard and if the breeding is an indication, the kids have been working very hard on their projects,” said Richard Stephens, Extension Educator for agriculture and natural resources.

As judging of projects begins Monday, an official opening ceremony has been set for 1 p.m. at the main stage. On hand for events will be the 2008 livestock royalty chosen last week. They include Mackenzie Hall, junior livestock princess, and first runnerup Olivia Rees; Jordyn Benson, senior livestock princess, and first runnerup Jessica McGhee; and Livestock Queen Brittany Burnett and first runnerup Lindsey Miller.

Royalty of another kind will be chosen in two of the highlights of Monday's events, the Little Miss and Mr. Gallia County contest sponsored by the Gallipolis Lions Club, and the Miss Gallia County pageant. Little Miss and Mr. begins at 6:30 p.m. and has attracted 34 contestants for Little Miss and 18 candidates for Little Mr.

The queen pageant starts at 9:30 p.m. and has 12 contestants - Natasha Adkins, Teri Clagg, Candice Clonch, Megan Daines, Carissa Gilmore, Amy Meeks, Amber Miller, Kayla Payne, Tessie Richards, Kaci Shoemaker, Andrea VanMeter and Jessica Willet.

Tuesday is Religious and Senior Citizens Night, topped off with an 8:30 p.m. performance on the main stage by the Mark Trammell Trio. Judging and exhibition continues Wednesday, with motocross racing on the pulling track at 7 p.m. and Emerson Drive performing at 8:30 p.m. to cap off the day's activities.

The Gallipolis Kiwanis youth program at 12:30 p.m. and the Master Exhibitor program at 7 p.m. are some of the leading events of Thursday, ending with an 8:30 p.m. show by Bucky Covington.

On Friday, Aug. 1, the 48th annual market hog sale begins at 9 a.m. in the show arena, followed by the Pretty Baby Contest sponsored by the Gallipolis Juior Women's Club on the main stage at 10 a.m. A tractor pull on the pulling track is set for 7:30 p.m., while the Dunamis Praise Band and Roman's Highwway take the main stage at 8:30 p.m.

The 50th annual market lamb sale begins activities for Saturday, Aug. 2 at 9 a.m., followed by the 57th annual market steer sale around 11 a.m. and the 26th annual tobacco sale around 1 p.m. The demolition derby is expected to pack in crowds at 7 p.m., while Halfway to Hazard brings a close to the 2008 fair with an 8:30 p.m. performance.

“It's just a great time to be in Gallia County. This is the one place where people get together every year,” Stephens said. “I love it.”