AG EXPO '99 TO BE HELD IN POPLAR BLUFF JAN. 15-16

Circle your calendar for one of the largest farm trade shows in the region. Ag Expo '99 will be held January 15-16, 1999, at the Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff.

This annual event is sponsored by the Butler County University Outreach and Extension Council and the Ag Club of Three Rivers Community College.

More than 85 booths will be available to visit and learn first-hand about agriculture and its importance to the economy. Eight thousand people attended last year's two-day event.

The event will be held Friday, Jan. 15, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Jan. 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free and the two days are packed with activities for the whole family. Entertainment and events include gospel and contemporary music, agriculture seminars, beauty pageants, toy tractor pedal pull contests for youth ages four to nine, and an adult toy tractor pedal pull contest. There will be a tractor driving contests for FFA members, a petting farm and livestock exhibits, an old time auction, a milking contest and a canning contest. A new baking contest has also been added to the list of events.

The Ag Expo '99 Beauty Pageant will be held during Saturday's events in the Bess Activity Center. Divisions include Baby Girl and Baby Boy, birth-23 months; Tiny Miss and Mister, 2-4 years; Little Miss, 5-7 years; Junior Miss, 8-12 years; and Miss Ag Expo, 13-18 years.

Pageant wear is requested, however it is not required in the baby and tiny divisions held at 10 a.m. Three winners will be selected in each division. Queens and kings from last year's Ag Expo '98 may not enter the same age division as they have previously won. They are asked to reign at this year's pageant.

Contestants are asked to pre-register. Pre-registration fee is $15. Registration at the door is $20. To register, call (573) 686-8064 or (573) 328-4446.

For more information about any of the events, contact the University Outreach and Extension Center in Poplar Bluff at (573) 686-8064.