The Cumberland County Fair is back, and while known for entertainment and fun, it’s also a great place to see what the agri-business sector is doing in this part of North Carolina. 
 

“Many people think the county fair is all about funnel cakes and thrilling rides, but the county fair was actually established to bring the community together to celebrate and showcase their best harvest, crafts and baked goods,” said Lisa Childers, county extension director for the NC Cooperative Extension, Cumberland County Center.
 

One of those families participating is the Fulcher family who have two daughters, ages 9 and 13, showing their award-winning pigs at the fair.
 

“My husband is a member of the Cattleman’s Association and as soon as our girls were old enough, we got them involved in the Cumberland County Fair,” said Dina Fulcher, mom to Billie Faith and Arlee Shaye Fulcher, “It’s a great, fun environment for families.”
 

Her daughter Billie Faith is now in eighth grade at Riverside Christian Academy. 
 

“I was about 5 when I started showing at the county fair and I didn’t even know it was a competition. I just went in with my pig and had a ball,” said Billie Faith Fulcher, age 14.
 

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The competition starts well before the fair begins, as most of the work is behind the scenes where school age children are involved in everyday farm life. 
 

“They really work hard. They learn to take care of the animals, how to show them and most of them are active in raising them,” said Debby Lewis, president of the Cumberland County Livestock Association, who helps with the livestock shows at the Cumberland County Fair.
 

“It is really crazy how much is involved with it all,” Billie Faith Fulcher said. “Our whole family is a team and we all work together. If I didn’t have their support, I couldn’t do it. We all pitch in to do what we need to do.”
 

While it is a family effort, Dina also praises her daughter’s young work ethic. 
 

“Our daughter is up every morning before school at the barn, walking her pigs, doing whatever needs to be done. She’s there between 6:30 and 7 a.m. every day,” Dina Fulcher said.
 

“It’s really fun though,” said Billie Faith Fulcher. “We have different types of pigs. We go to the annual sale and pick out our favorites. From the time they come to us, we love on them and get them used to us. We feed them marshmallows, which they love. 
 

“When we train them, they learn to pick their heads up a certain way,” said Billie Faith Fulcher. “The main thing is to keep them moving during the competition. They look better with their head up and the judges are watching it all. The pig needs to know how to turn and when to stop.” 
 

“Showmanship is the big ticket winner for any kid in competition,”  Dina Fulcher said. It shows their hard work. If you don’t put in the work, you don’t win the awards.”
 

The Fulcher family may have gotten their start at the Cumberland County Fair, but they’ve found a community in shows and have begun to travel with their pigs even outside of the NC State Fair, which they are also active in. 
 

“We started with the county and now we’ve gone hog wild. We bought a trailer and completely renovated our barn. My husband even went down to Texas to get special materials to outfit the pens,” Dina Fulcher said. “With everything we’re facing in the world, I can’t think of a better environment for our girls and these shows with the people are just amazing. We’re traveling to enjoy every livestock show we can. We participate in the Eastern Carolina showmanship circuit with state fairs and jackpot shows. This has been our biggest year yet traveling to Virginia, Georgia, Maryland and West Virginia as well as North Carolina.”
 

“I love traveling to different places. We do around ten or so shows a year depending on what pigs we have ready at the barn,” said Billie Faith Fulcher, “We have 13 pigs now, but we get them at different time frames when they are around two months old.”
 

Billie Faith can’t forget her start though. 
 

“We show at the Cumberland County Fair every year and it’s been good for me because I can see how much I’ve improved over the years,” She said laughingly. “When I started, I’m sure I was one of the little kids running around like I see now.”
 

One of those little ones is Raynes Gillis, a 4-year-old showman from the southern tip of Cumberland County in the Beaver Dam community. He debuted at his first show at age 3 in the junior Lamb division.
 

“Agriculture is near and dear to my family,” said Brook Gillis, who also serves as the chief sales officer for Cape Fear Farm Credit. “If Raynes decides to go into farming, he would be a fifth-generation farmer. As children growing up, my brother Chris and I were in FFA and worked on our farm. Now, Raynes is with me if I’m on the farm. If we are harvesting watermelons or bringing in new animals to the swine or turkey facilities, he’s with me. 
 

“When Raynes turned 3, Paul Maguire, who is on the board of directors at Cape Fear Farm Credit and also on the livestock committee, told me he was old enough to show a goat or a sheep so he got us into it.”
 

Gillis also credits her parents, James Ray and Kim Hall, who still work full time with the day to day operations on their family farm. Along with swine and poultry, they have row crops with corn, soybeans and wheat and produce with watermelons and sweet corn. 
 

“Raynes is no stranger to animals. He’s so compassionate. When it was time to show his sheep, he just jumped right in. My whole family is all hands on deck so he’s learned that too,” Gillis said. “I just think it’s so important for children to be involved.”
 

Wayne Collier, a retired rural mail carrier and farmer, has been involved for almost 40 years now with the livestock shows through the Farm Bureau. 
 

“I’ve seen the children grow up over the years showing at the fair. Some have become farmers, some have gone to other occupations, but the fair is a lasting impact on their lives. This is something they remember,” said Collier. 
 

“I want to be a veterinarian when I grow up. Being around the animals and growing up on the farm is important. After I age out of showing, I might still do some open shows, but I want to also be a judge one day,” said Billie Faith Fulcher, “I want to stay in the agricultural community when I’m older.”
 

“When you go to these shows, it’s a different world. It’s total adrenaline, laughs and smiles. The shows are short-lived, but the memories are forever,” said Dina Fulcher.
 

The Cumberland County Fair will take place Sept. 3-12 at the Crown Complex at 1960 Coliseum Drive, Fayetteville. For more information, visit www.crowncomplexnc.com/events/cumberlandcountyfair.