Procession dates and important deadlines for youth exhibits for the 161st Cass County Fair have been announced:
April 1, Possession date for dogs
April 21,  Dairy Feeder Validation, Cass Fairgrounds, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
April 30,  Deadline for Exploration Days applications
May 1, Possession date for dairy, goats, horse/pony, sheep, swine, and all beef breeding stock
May 1, Deadline for Beef Breeding Stock registration form
May 1, Deadline for Exploration Days registration
May 15, Deadline for Horse ID/pre-registration form
May 15, Deadline for Dog ID/pre-registration form
June 1, Possession date for Breed Rabbits
June 17, Possession date for Cloverbud/Pee Wee Sheep
June 17, Deadline for all youth Cass County Fair registrations
June 17, Deadline for all youth pen reservation forms, small and large animals
Recently, the Cass County Fair Board Association voted to change the age of Pee Wee exhibitors from 5 to 7 years old as of Jan. 1, 2012.  Eight-year-olds will now be eligible to show and sell livestock in the auction.  There are several project exceptions including large market Beef, Draft Horse and Horse & Pony, in which 8-year-olds will not be able to show as regular exhibitors and will continue to show as Pee Wees. Additionally, 8-year-oldw will now be able to show as regular exhibitors in the still exhibit project areas.
For more information, contact the Michigan State University Extension office at 445-4438; 120 N. Broadway, Suite 209 in Cassopolis, or go to www.msu.casscountymi.org and www.msue.msu.edu/cass.