Sally and Cinnamon and their handler, Shiloh Roberts, are headed to the Mississippi State Fair, which kicks off Wednesday.

Shiloh, who’s entering her two dairy goats for the second year, is representing Warren County’s 4-H Club in the fair’s livestock competition. She is one of hundreds of children who will compete in showmanship and animal anatomy Oct. 17 at the Mississippi Trade Mart Building at the state fairgrounds.

About 20 other Warren County children will compete in other youth competitions at the fair’s 4-H Village, including culinary arts, environment, safety, fashion and creative arts.

Warren County 4-H agent Marcus Davis said Shiloh is the only Warren County child competing in livestock this year. Four competed last year. The number dropped this year because the other three youths who competed in 2008 have moved to another county.

Lurlinda Soignier, a Hinds County 4-H agent, said about 40 youths from her area, including Edwards and Utica, will participate in the livestock competition.

Shiloh, a homeschooled 12-year-old, said the best thing about handling her goats is learning to walk with them.

“It’s fun and a lot of hard work,” she said. “I grew up with them, and I love them.”

Her connection to dairy goats began when she was a baby, her mother, Sherry Roberts, said. “She’s had problems with milk since she’s been born, and we knew then we needed to get her goat milk. When she was 1 1/2, my husband (Dave Roberts) bought a dairy goat on purpose.”

Shiloh is one of eight children, but the first of her siblings to take her animals to the state fair. Last year, she received a ribbon and a plaque for showmanship for showing Sally and Cinnamon.

“For her first time out, she got a plaque — and we were all floored,” said Roberts, adding that Shiloh spends more than two hours a day taking care of her goats.

“She sticks to a feeding schedule…in the morning and in the afternoon,” she said.

This year marks the 150th year of the Mississippi State Fair, which features rides, exhibits, entertainment and other activities at the State Fairgrounds in Jackson. Musical acts this year include classic rock bands Styx and Creedence Clearwater Revisited, plus country music sensations Craig Morgan and Billy Currington.

This year’s fair is dedicated to Robert N. Stockett Sr., who died in March. He was a member of the Mississippi State Fair Commission from 1946 to 1998.

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Contact Manivanh Chanprasith at mchan@vicksburgpost.com