2014 Best in Show Dairy Goat
Kids, Competition, Education and Fun!
The 11th annual Southern Maryland Invitational Livestock Expo (SMILE) for Southern Maryland youth will take place on June 19 through June 21 at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds in Leonardtown, Maryland. The three-day event is open to youth ages 8 to 21 years from the entire region of Southern Maryland, including Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s counties and other counties by invitation.
A unique blend of competition, education and fun the SMILE show provides a rare opportunity for youth interested in agriculture to socialize, learn and compete with others who share the same interests. Competition classes include fitting and showing and market and breeding divisions for domestic livestock species of beef and dairy cows, pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits and cavies (guinea pigs).
SMILE show judges take extra time to mentor and share their expertise with youth participants. Informal games, workshops and other group activities after the day’s competitions encourage camaraderie, teamwork and help build self-confidence. “It’s great to see these young people working together, learning together and having fun,” commented Jay Farrell, show chairman, “there’s no other show quite like it.”
The fairground, barns and show rings will be open to the general public throughout the weekend to visit the animals and watch SMILE activities and competitions. There is no charge for general admission. To see the full show schedule visit the SMILE website at: www.SMILE-INC.org.
SMILE is organized by SMILE committee members and the collaborative efforts of dedicated volunteers, and is sponsored by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC), the St. Mary’s County Fair Board, county Farm Bureaus and others.