The Jackson County Fair begins today with entry of open class 4-H and FFA non-livestock exhibits will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., with judging beginning around 6:30 p.m.

"If possible, exhibitors need to have exhibits pre-tagged when they come in," said Gary Strickland, OSU Extension Agent, "if not, they need to come in early enough to tag their exhibits and figure out which category they go in."

Also today, young people wishing to enter the tractor driving contest (to be held Saturday) must participate in a written exam and score high enough on it to actually drive a tractor during the event. The written exam will be given at 4 p.m.

Thursday's events will include the fair opening to the public at 3 p.m. A border collie demonstration will take place at 5 p.m., followed by the judging of poultry and rabbits and a turtle race at 5:30 p.m. The annual talent show will begin Thursday night at 6 p.m., followed by the FFA and Open Senior Youth Farm Hand Olympics from 7 to 9 p.m.

On Friday, the fair will open to the public at 8 a.m. The tractor driving contest will be held in the rodeo parking lot at 8:30 a.m., followed by events such as the watermelon seed spitting contest going on from 9 a.m. to noon.

Key events Saturday will be the Safari Wildlife Animal Display, going on from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., the Farm Bureau Fire House, lasting from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., the Altus Speedway Stock Car Exhibits from 9 a.m. to noon, the Blue Grass Music Festival from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., the Baby Contest, sponsored by KWHW at 10 a.m., and the Homemade Ice Cream contest at 1 p.m.

"We want to make sure and invite everyone out this weekend and enjoy all the events of the 2004 Jackson County Fair," Strickland said.