GREEN COVE SPRINGS – There’s a reason it’s not called the Clay County Rollercoaster Fair or the Clay County Funnel Cake Fair.

“Agriculture is part of our name and part of our mission,” said Livestock Chair Kelly Mosley.

The Clay County Agricultural Fair started its 11-day run Thursday. While it has one of the largest selections of rides, games and food vendors in the state, it also has one of the best agriculture barns featuring more than 1,000 animals and live exhibits.

“Agriculture has been our mission from the start,” Mosley said. “We’re going to be the premier fair for agriculture, education and entertainment in Clay County. So, the founding fathers, when they started the Fair, even in the pre-planning, knew they wanted it to be a showcase for agriculture in Clay County. Many of the folks who helped start the fair were very involved in agriculture, including the legendary advisors like UF/IFAS extension director Jesse Godbold.”

When the founders decided to buy 28 acres in 1972 in what would eventually become home of the first Fair 15 years later, they stipulated that “agriculture” would be the event’s focal point. Nothing has changed since.

In addition to FFA and 4-H Livestock Shows, Ag Town was established in the livestock car to educate and entertain. There are a feed store, school house, grocery store, veterinary office, farmer’s house, potato patch, and two show locations. There is an “Ask Me” booth in the Livestock Barn and several exhibit booths for anyone to see animals up close. Animals include cows, donkeys, pigs, bulls, chickens, ducks, rabbits, goats, dogs, birds, fish and bees.

According to the Fair, “Many guests have never had the opportunity to see farm life that’s so important to our American way of life. Agriculture is our lifeline for our food supply.”

Junior and senior high students will be marketing steers and swine for auction. There will also be open shows for rabbits, goats, steers and poultry.

“In the past couple of years, we’ve added some new content for the kids related to agriculture, like the tailgating contest and the whip-popping contest,” Mosley said. “Those are fun. We added tractor driving last year. You certainly don’t have to have livestock to participate in any of those contests.”

Animals will play important roles in two programs for children and adults with physical and emotional challenges. The children will show goats, while the adults will show chickens to judges.

Early Florida Village is a hands-on area with antique displays that take you back to the state’s early days.

Of course, there’s more than livestock and haybales at the Fair. There are seven days of concerts by prominent bands, nearly 50 rides, more than 100 food vendors and two exhibition halls filled with local crafts and displays.

But don’t forget the rollercoaster and funnel cakes.