The National Junior Swine Association is ready to get wild and “Welcome to the Jungle” more than 700 kids and 1,033 gilts from 27 states at the National Junior Summer Spectacular this week in Louisville, Ky.

The annual event starts Tuesday, June 29, and ends Saturday, July 3, and includes a gilt show as well as showmanship, skillathon, judging, public and extemporaneous speaking, photography, poster, state scrapbook, and sweepstakes contests. All NJSA members, open to youth ages 21 and under, are welcome to participate. More than $40,000 in scholarships, prize money and awards will be given to members of the nation’s largest youth livestock organization during the week of competition

“This is one of the biggest shows we’ve had in terms of number of kids registered,” says Darrell Anderson, CEO of the National Swine Registry, the umbrella organization of the NJSA. “It’s the biggest event of the year for NJSA. It’s an intense week of competition, but an enjoyable one.”

In addition to the contests, other events include election of the 2010-2012 NJSA board of directors, auction of the donated Foundation Female, silent auction, NJSA annual meeting, pizza party and dance, awards breakfast and inspirational service, and recognition of sweepstakes winners. Friday and Saturday the NSR also holds their Summer Type Conference, which includes a show and sale.

The show and all events will take place at the Kentucky State Fairgrounds and Expo Center. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit www.nationalswine.com. To get show results delivered to your email, sign up for the Shows and Sales e-mail list serv via the home page, or “like” the National Swine Registry on Facebook.