Heifer's annual fair to dedicate new barn; Weekend events at Overlook Farm.

PAXTON - The annual International Fair at Heifer International's Overlook Farm will have an added element Saturday as a new timber-frame barn and pole barn, built after a 2006 fire, are dedicated.

The fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, with the barn dedication at 11:30 a.m.; and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Visitors will have the opportunity to walk through the Heifer Global Village, which has displays representing the cultures of various areas of the world where Heifer does its global development work. Since its inception in 1944, the organization has helped millions of impoverished families around the world become more self-reliant through the gift of livestock and training in agriculture.

The fair will also feature the Dale Perkins' Horse Show, local musical groups and horse-drawn hayrides.

Organic produce from the farm's gardens will be for sale, along with fair trade and other handcrafted items from around the world in the gift shop.

The farm's animals, including a pair of water buffalo, a yak, a dzo, alpacas, llamas and traditional farm animals, will be on display.

During the barn dedication, a classroom in the new structure will be named after Dale Perkins, former director of Overlook Farm. Mr. Perkins recently left Heifer to pursue other endeavors, but remains a part of the Heifer community, according to Cindy Sellers Roach, interim director. "He's the one that led the effort to bring this barn into being after our loss in 2006," she said in a press release.

The barn complex includes a 5,280-square-foot timber-frame barn connected to a 3,500-square-foot pole barn. The frame barn offers improved education space on its main floor and additional office and administration space on the second floor, Ms. Roach said.

"It is a wonderful multi-use facility that still fits into the mold of a New England barn," she said

The fair will open Saturday with a parade of animals at 11 a.m., followed by the dedication. Afterward, the barn will be open for tours in appreciation of the local and donor support that helped make its construction possible.

Other activities during the two days include working sheep dog demonstrations, goat milking, spinning and exhibits by other nonprofit organizations. Lunch may be purchased, or visitors may bring picnics.

Admission to the International Fair is free. Parking is $5 per car and $25 per bus. The 270-acre farm is located at 216 Wachusett St., just east of Route 68. For more information, call [phone] or visit www.heifer.org.