The annual Southern Maryland Invitational Livestock Expo (SMILE) will take place June 26-27 at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds in Leonardtown.
The two-day livestock show for Southern Maryland youth includes showmanship and breed competitions for sheep, beef, swine and goats, a horse show and other educational activities designed to showcase the importance of agriculture in the region.
The SMILE expo is full of surprises, and as its acronym (SMILE) suggests, has more to offer than the regular livestock judging show; highlights include farm equipment displays, vendors and a special guest appearance by the Suttler Post Farm Clydesdales. Wayne Mast and his team of six magnificent Clydesdales (Roy, Silver, Pappy, Gunner, Ben and Tony) will be at the fairgrounds from noon on Saturday June 26 to talk about his horses and at 5:30 p.m. will demonstrate a “Six-horse hitch”. As stated by Jay Farrell, SMILE Chairman, “The SMILE show’s focus is on learning, fun and camaraderie for those who are participating and as the show is open to the public, we also hope to educate our neighbors about the important relationship we have to the land, the animals and our rural way of life”.
Throughout the weekend the barns will be open to visitors to see the animals and watch the activities and competitions. Admission is free to the public. For a full schedule of events visit the SMILE Web site at www.SMILE-Inc.org. SMILE is sponsored by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC), the St. Mary’s County Fair Board, county farm bureaus and local businesses, and is organized by SMILE committee members and the collaborative efforts of dedicated volunteers.