Bagpipes will sound at the Mower County Fairgrounds this weekend as the 2012 North Central Highland Cattle Association Regional Show comes to Austin for the first time.

“We encourage people to just, even if they’ve got five minutes, come on out and see the animals,” said Mark Schulz, NCHCA vice president.

Highland cattle are a Scottish breed with long, shaggy hair. They’re a hardy breed that does well in temperate climates.

“They’re a very rugged animal, and very good mothers,” Schulz said. “Once you see a highland, it’s hard not to get attached to them.”

Schulz said 12 farms from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska and other places will show their animals, which includes almost 50 breeding animals as well. The show starts Friday night with a soup and chili supper at 5 p.m., followed by an educational speaker and ring time for the junior contestants.

The Junior Show will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday, followed by market animal classes and the Open Show, which starts at noon, where bagpipes will be played as part of the show’s tradition. A junior costume contest will take place after the Open Show, where contestants will dress up alongside their animals. A silent auction will take place at 7:30 p.m. to help support the show.