LEBANON, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Wilson County Fair called off the rides and exhibits this year because of COVID-19, but the livestock shows are on the schedule and popular.
"Because with all the fairs basically canceled in Tennessee, there hasn't been a place where the youth could show their cattle that they had raised this year," said Randall Clemons.
Clemons said cattle are not the only livestock in abundance at the fair.
"We had over 550 goats here on Sunday, which is the largest dairy goat event we've ever had," Clemons said.
High school freshman Joseph Johns planned to compete in the showmanship and Junior Wilson County Dairy Livestock show this week.
"It's been really great to have this fair let us show here," Johns said. "I feel like it's a really great activity. It also reaches responsibility."
Johns said it was rewarding to compete this year after months of hard work and preparation.
13-year-old Ella Gilmore has been a part of showing cattle since before she could walk.
"Really all my life," Ella Gilmore said. "My mom used to carry me around when I was little baby."
She was nervous all the fairs she planned to show in this season would not happen because of the coronavirus.
"It's really hard because we work so hard for them and to hear they're canceled, it's disappointing," Gilmore said.
Fair organizers plan to make the 2021 events memorable.
"The economic impact in this county and Middle Tennessee has been tremendous. A lot of people who are vendors here are also vendors at other events. We felt so sorry for them because they are all hurting as a result of the canceled events. We're going to make the 2021 fair the largest and best it's ever been," Clemons said.
The livestock shows are open to the public through Sunday, August 23.
