More than 30,000 entries from across the country will arrive in Louisville this week to participate in the North American International Livestock Exposition.

Held annually at the Kentucky Exposition Center, exhibitors showcase the best cattle at the 13-day event with the hope of winning a portion of the nearly $ 750,000 in bonuses awarded at the various competitions.

NAILE, which opens Friday, is the world’s largest purebred cattle show. The exhibit features 10 competitive divisions of cattle, including dairy cattle, beef cattle, dairy goats, meat goats, pigs, sheep, llamas, alpacas, mules and work horses. .

NAILE offers a variety of experiences for breeding enthusiasts and those new to the exhibition world.

Every year, shoppers eagerly await the North American Country Store, which takes place exclusively during NAILE. It includes over 200,000 square feet of exhibition space and 105 booths featuring clothing, belt buckles, candy, cowboy hats, arts and crafts, books, musical instruments, furniture and handcrafted jewelry.

All the latest products related to the livestock exhibition are also available, including specialized vehicle trailers for transporting animals and various livestock equipment. In addition to shopping, the children’s barnyard offers customers the chance to interact with rabbits, mini horses, lambs, newly hatched ducklings and other animals.

The North American Championship rodeo will take place November 11-13 at Freedom Hall. From barrel races to bull races, cowboys and cowgirls will compete for the coveted top spot and cash prizes.

November 12 is “Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night” with a portion of ticket sales going to Horses and Hope, a breast cancer awareness organization.

Tickets are available on ticketmaster.com/artist/834727?tm_link=tm_header_search.

Interested guests can experience NAILE anywhere with live streaming of select events for free.

The images will be shown by Show Barn Flix from various locations at the Kentucky Exposition Center and will include both judged competitions and sales. The broadcast schedule and live coverage will be posted on the NAILE website at cattleexpo.org / events / livestock-schedules.

NAILE admission is $ 8 for adults and free for children five and under, and parking is $ 10 per day. Full pass for $ 60 for the full event or $ 35 for half-event passes. Event passes include parking. North American country store shoppers and exhibition visitors receive free admission November 9-10.

In accordance with the COVID-19 face covering policy for all branch buildings and offices, a face covering must be worn by everyone in all interior areas of the Kentucky Exposition Center.

For more information, including a calendar of events, visit elevageexpo.org. NAILE also posts updates on Facebook and Instagram.