John Oxford
MOULTRIE — Preparations are well under way as the 32nd annual Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition nears, the executive director told the Moultrie Kiwanis Club Thursday.
Chip Blalock, executive director of the Expo since 1997, said the 2009 show will feature a wide variety of new and returning exhibits and features. Among the exhibition space available, 98 percent of the outside and 90 percent of the inside space has already been filled, but space is still available in the Family Living building.
The 2009 spotlight state at Expo will be North Carolina, and Blalock said a ribbon cutting will recognize the state on Tuesday. Also on Tuesday, a ribbon cutting will be held for a Peanut Proud exhibit at the Georgia Peanut Commission. NASCAR driver Jeff Burton will also hold a meet and greet at the Lenox exhibit from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday.
Returning events and exhibits include a variety of giveaway drawings, auctions and seminars, Blalock said. Two seminars held each day will discuss the newest technology for farmers.
“We want to take advantage of all of the specialists being here,” Blalock said.
Along with all the events going on with Expo, Blalock said a big part of the first day is naming the Swisher Sweets Farmer of the Year. He and the judges visited the 10 finalists at their home farms to determine the winner. Those who were named as finalists were:
• Thomas DuRant of Gable, S.C.
• Billy Bain of Tifton, Ga.
• Cary Lightsey of Lake Wales, Fla.
• David Wright of Plantersville, Ala.
• Donald Gant of Merigold, Miss.
• Orelan Johnson of England, Ark.
• Richard Atkinson of Belvidere, Tenn.
• Doug Langley of Shelbyville, Ky.
• Billy Bain of Dinwiddie, Va., and
• Fred Pittillo of Hendersonville, N.C.
“We have 10 more outstanding nominees,” Blalock said, “and we’re looking forward to bringing them to Moultrie.”
This year’s Expo will be held from Tuesday, Oct. 20, through Thursday, Oct. 22, at Spence Field. For more information, visit the Web site at www.sunbeltexpo.com.
