Livestock competitions, animal exhibits a major part of Georgia National Fair experience

“I haven’t turned back," Corzine said. "This is what I do. This is my passion."

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Some head to the Georgia National Fair for the rides, some for the food, but others make the trip to see and show off their favorite animals. The fair offers livestock competitions, petting zoos, and exhibits each day the gates are open.

Aly Corzine is a junior at Veterans High School. Corzine has been competing as a showman with pigs and goats at the fair for 12 years. Corzine says she got her pig “La’a” in June, and got to work immediately in hopes of walking away victorious.

“I haven’t turned back,” Corzine said. “This is what I do. This is my passion.”

Keith Jones is a volunteer for Southeastern Reptile Rescue. Jones says he brings a truckload of snakes to the fair each year for entertainment, but most importantly for education.

“Most of what the general public knows about snakes is probably false,” Jones said. “Just from what they’ve been told all their life about these animals.”

Jones works to rescue venomous and nonvenomous snakes native to Georgia, something he says stemmed from a lifelong love of the reptiles. Jones says that when fairgoers step inside his trailer and read about each snake, he wants them to come away with more knowledge of the medicinal benefits, and other positive ways snakes impact ecosystems.

“If we start hurting these snakes, or they disappear, then there’s no telling what we could’ve missed in technology down the road,” Jones said. 

The Georgia National Fair lasts until October 13.