Barrows, welcome to SPAMtown USA.

Swine, pork breeders and college students from around the nation will converge at the Mower County Fairgrounds for the 66th annual National Barrow Show and NBS Junior Barrow Classic on Sept. 9 through Sept. 12.

“We’re really excited about this year’s show,” said local NBS Committee Chair Joel Nelson, who added the Sunday night’s opening dinner is a great time for the public to meet people from around the country. Tickets for the dinner are $8. They may be purchased in advance at the Austin Area Chamber or at the door, the day of the event.

The four-day schedule officially kicks off at 9 a.m. Sunday with the Junior Barrow Classic showmanship event, followed by the Junior Barrow Show Classic at noon in Crane Pavilion.

Billed as “The World Series of Swine Shows,” the NBS showcases many of the top breeding boars and foundation females in the country, and all eight, major swine breeds. This year’s show will feature about 1,150 hogs coming in from all across the country. Nearly 240 college students from 27 schools and 14 different states will participate in the judging contest among another 200 FFA and 4-H students.

On Monday the College Judging Contest takes center stage 8 a.m. with students competing in the University, Junior College, and 4-H/FFA divisions. At noon that same day, judging of the popular truckload competition will take place in Crane Pavilion.

NBS breeding stock shows are scheduled for Tuesday beginning at 8 am. The breeding stock sales will be held on Wednesday at 9 a.m. The National Barrow Show and sale features some of the finest breeding stock in the country. All eight major breeds and crossbred gilts and boars are included in the sale.

For more information, go to mowercountyfair.com.