It won’t be long until the streets around the Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis will be lined up with semi-trucks waiting to unload farm machinery and equipment for the 2016 Mid-South Farm and Gin Show. The 64^th annual event is scheduled for Feb. 26-27.

Attendees at the South’s largest indoor farm show hail from nearly every state and several foreign countries.

Tim Price, show manager and executive vice president of the Southern Cotton Ginners, which co-sponsors the show with Delta Farm Press, says many attend the show each year to catch up with friends and see the latest innovations and interactive technology.

“This show attracts repeat attenders — some come to Memphis year after year to have a first look at the latest in technology and learn about the newest products and services. But many also attend to catch up with friends and colleagues they may see only at this show.”

There will be many things to see, Price says, with more than 400 exhibitors on hand to interact with showgoers as they look over the latest equipment, new technology, and products and services.

Many of the attendees register for an opportunity to take home a Labrador puppy that is given away each day of the show by Jimmy McMahan of Sur-Shot Retrievers, Covington, Tenn. He has been providing the puppies for many years. “This is definitely one of the popular exhibits at the show each year,” Price says. “Kids of all ages gather around to pet the puppies and hope their name will be drawn for one of these quality animals.”

Ag Update seminars, held Friday and Saturday mornings at 8:30 in the Lobby Meeting Room, will provide the latest information on cotton, grains, rice, and wheat, as well as industry outlooks.

Farmers and others planning to attend the show are encouraged to pre-register online at farmandginshow.com — just click on “attendee registration” and complete the information form. Those who pre-register are also eligible to win a $1,000 cash prize.

Returning in 2016 will be another meal packaging event to benefit the Mid-South Food Bank. FFA Students from Tennessee and surrounding states participate in the event which is designed to package nutritious meals for those in need. Last year, the students packaged more than 35,000 meals.

Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday.  For more information, visit the website at www.farmandginshow.com, or call (901) 947.3104.