 The Beltrami County fairgrounds were bustling with excitement and anticipation as a 2018 fair got underway today. All morning and afternoon vendors and exhibitors were busy setting up and entering their projects and animals in the fair. Employees of Gopher State Midway were also hard at work setting up rides and games for the big opening night. This year's fair is one of the largest in recent years and is said to provide infotainment for kids of all ages. We have a good strong livestock display and surveys show that the number one reason people come to the fair is for uh to see the animals. You know kids nowadays don't have exposure to farm animals like they did when I was a kid. You know everybody had a grandpa and grandma on a farm or an uncle in the farm that doesn't happen anymore. So uh our big theme in the kids farm here this year is where does your food come from? If you happen to be out at the Beltrami County Fair be sure to stop by our Lakeland PBS building. A booth I should say we don't have our own building yet. We're located next to the fire tower on the northwest side of the commercial exhibits building. We do have treats and free giveaways for the kids and giveaways for you as well and about we'll give you information about six PBS channels that Lakeland provides for you. This is also your opportunity to win a pair of tickets or upcoming Celtic Thunder Concert. A fair booth is also an excellent way to get in on our crews with the news giveaway which will have a little more information coming up on tonight. Stop by and sign up before we give that cruise away in the next couple of weeks. Our Lakeland staff will be out there. I'll be there Saturday noon to four and we look forward to meeting you all. The Beltrami County Fair runs daily through Sunday. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland news please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.