Fayette County Fair organizers unveil schedule of events
Lonestar, recently named the Academy of Country Music’s Vocal Group of the Year, will headline the musical entertainment at the 48th annual Fayette County Fair, slated to be held July 25-Aug. 3 at the Dunbar Township fairgrounds. “Ticket sales are brisk. They’re moving right along,’ fair board member Rick Allen informed the crowd that gathered at the fairgrounds Monday for a preview luncheon.
Lonestar is slated to perform in the Outdoor Arena on Saturday, July 27, at 8 p.m. with tickets selling for $25. The group has received nominations and honors from the Grammys, American Music Awards, Country Music Association, TNN/CMT, Country Weekly, America On-Line and Billboard. Their hit songs include “I’m Already There’ and “Amazed.’
Bill Jackson, president of the fair board, announced that concert-goers can bring a can of food to the concert to be eligible for a drawing to meet Lonestar. Representatives of the Fayette County Community Action Food Bank were also at the press luncheon.
Lonestar is the only concert that fairgoers will have to pay admission to see at this year’s fair. Allen announced a lineup of acts that will entertain throughout the 10 days of the fair and include rock, country and gospel music.
They include: July 26, Blue River at 7 p.m. and Povertyneck Hillbillies at 9 p.m., both in the Indoor Arena; July 27, Doo Wopp All Stars at 5 p.m. and William Dell & Wee James at 8 p.m. in the Indoor Arena; July 28, Kitchie Lane Gospel Sing in the Fiddler’s Building, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., with Brownie Mary at 5 p.m. and Buzz Poets at 7 p.m. in the Indoor Arena; July 29, The Fabulous Hubcaps at 7 p.m. in the Indoor Arena; July 30, Stonee Ridge Band at 7:30 p.m. in the Fiddler’s Building; July 31, Steel City Quartet at 7:30 p.m. in the Fiddler’s Building; Aug. 1, Face in the Crowd at 7:30 p.m. in the Fiddler’s Building; Aug. 2, Slim Chance at 7:30 p.m. in the Fiddler’s Building; and Aug. 3, Povertyneck Hillbillies at 7 p.m. in the Indoor Arena, Old time Fiddler’s at 7:30 p.m. in the Fiddler’s Building, and Chandler at 9 p.m. in the Indoor Arena. Chandler recently opened for country singer Kenny Rogers, officials noted.
Other free entertainment includes the Family Area, which Jackson said, “sets us apart from other fairs.’
This year’s lineup includes Nancy’s Racing Pigs, shown daily at 4, 6 and 8 p.m., ventriloquist Mark Wade (who will appear July 26-28) at 4:15, 6:15 and 8:15 p.m.; magicians David and Kathie Haines (July 29-Aug. 3) at 4:15, 6:15 and 8:15 p.m.; Kachunga and the Alligator Show, daily at 4:45, 6:45 and 8:45 p.m.; The Fearless Flores Thrill Show, daily at 5:15, 7:15 and 9:15 p.m.; The Barn Yard Petting Zoo, daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Kiddie Farm, daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Celebrate Education in Fayette County Tent, daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Other daily attractions include Mime to Amaze, July 25-28; Buford the Bear, July 29-Aug. 3; The Outlaw Riders Mechanical Bull and Mini Remote NASCAR Time Trials.
The Outdoor Arena is known for shows featuring thrills and excitement, and this year is no exception.
Fair board treasurer John Blaney Jr. announced, “We’re bringing back demolition derbies, tractor pulls, Bullride Mania which will also have a team-roping event after it. The big thing we’ve added to the Monster Trucks is Megasaurus. It’s a fire-breathing, car-eating tank. The kids love it.’
The lineup for the Outdoor Arena includes: July 25, Croushore’s Demolition Derby at 7 p.m. with a Powder Puff Heat, admission is $4, adults and $1 under 12; July 26, Old-Fashioned Dead Weight Tractor Pull and Stock Garden Tractor Pull, 7 p.m., admission is free; July 28, Motocross with races beginning at 5 p.m. and features at 8:30 p.m., admission is $4, adults, and $1 under 12; July 29, Stock Semi & Stock Tri-Axle Truck Pull and ATPA East Coast Series SS/PS Tractors, 7 p.m., admission is $4, adults and $1 under 12; July 30, Croushore’s Demolition Derby at 7 p.m., special feature will be Front Wheel Drive Caravan and Voyager Heat, admission is $4, adults and $1 under 12; July 31, Monster Truck Side by Side Races and Quad Mud Races that feature the antics of Bobby Cox and introduces Megasaurus at 7 p.m., admission is $6, adults and $1 under 12; Aug. 1, Dave Martin’ Bull Mania including Team Penning Competition at 7 p.m., admission is $5, adults and $1 under 12; Aug. 2, ATPA East Coast Series Modified 4×4 Truck Pull, Open Stock 4×4 Truck Pull, ATPA Super Stock Semi Trucks and East Coast Open Stock (diesel) 4×4 Truck Pull, at 7 p.m., admission is $4, adults and $1 under 12; Aug. 3, Horse Pulling Contest at noon, admission is free, and Croushore’s Demolition Derby at 6 p.m., admission is $4, adults and $1 under 12.
As always, the fair features agriculture and education. The Youth Building will feature projects undertaken by area 4-H clubs.
Don Fretts, county extension director for Penn State Cooperative Extension, announced Youth Building activities will include a countywide 4-H Youth Dance on Friday, July 26 from 7 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, July 27 will be 4-H Youth Showcase Day from 3 to 10 p.m. with agency exhibits and a 4-H Youth Talent Review. The 4-H Fashion Show is July 27 at 3 p.m. with the 4-H Demonstration/Public Speaking Contest at 5 p.m. and The Real World, dramatized by Faith Assembly of God’s youth group 212.
Demonstrations will take place throughout the fair, including children’s cake decoration, karate, food safety, children’s vegetable gardening, kids’ crafts and animal education as well as a Native America Pow Wow demonstration.
“There is so much to do at the fair. It’s easy to overlook some stuff,’ explained Fretts as he introduced a competition called the Fayette Fair Lotto that hopes to increase visitation to the 13 buildings on the fairgrounds.
Visitors who enter the fairgrounds will be given a card with questions that are related to agriculture and the fair. The answers are in the buildings. Visitors need to visit the buildings for the answers to the questions, which will be changed periodically. Those who offer the correct answers will have their names placed in a drawing that will take place on the last night of the fair. Entrants can have their named entered only once in the final drawing. The winners will be eligible for three monetary prizes: first is $1,000, second is $500 and third is $250.
“It’s new and off the wall, and we don’t know how it will work but we encourage you to try,’ said Fretts.
Jackson announced admission to the fair this year is $5, adults; and $1 for children ages 3 to 11; and free to children under 3. Discounts are available through advance ticket sales. Discounts are also available for Outdoor Arena Shows, except for Lonestar, as well as the carnival.
In addition, Neubauer’s Flowers will present Good Neighbor Day at 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 2. The first 500 adults (one per family) to enter the fair will receive coupons to receive a dozen roses. The coupons must be redeemed before leaving the fairgrounds that evening.
For more information, phone the fair office at 724-628-FAIR or visit the Web site at http://www.fayettefair.com.