From grinding sugarcane for syrup to the use of drones in farming, Evans County this Friday and Saturday will celebrate the role that agriculture has played in the county's first 100 years.

The Evans County Centennial Salute to the History of Agriculture and Forestry is free and open to the public, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. It will be held at the Evans County Wildlife Club grounds — home of the spring Rattlesnake and Wildlife Festival — at 501 Cedar Avenue, Hagan. That's just west of Claxton off U.S. Highway 280.

Experts will provide demonstrations and explanatory programs on turpentine and forestry, history of local railroads, horseshoeing, cane grinding and agricultural drones. Antique tractors and farm implements will also be on display, as well as an art show depicting Evans County people and places. Exhibits on various agricultural commodities such as cotton, tobacco, corn, peanuts and hay will round out the occasion.

The University of Georgia's College of Agriculture, Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia Farm Bureau, Evans County Classics Car Club, Georgia Power Co., Canoochee EMC and various local businesses will put on the exhibits and demonstrations.

The annual Evans County Farm/City Week kickoff breakfast is also included as part of the Agricultural and Forestry Salute. This begins at 7 a.m. Friday with coffee and networking, followed by breakfast at 7:30 a.m. in the Wildlife Club building.