Fair organizers ready for today’s opening
One of Fayette County’s greatest traditions will resume today, as the 48th annual Fayette County Fair officially opens. Fair organizers were busy Wednesday night putting the finishing touches on the 10-day event that will attract thousands of area residents.
“We are ready to go and hoping for the best,” said Fair Board President Bill Jackson. “There were a lot of last-minute details, but we are set now.’
The opening ceremony for this year’s fair is slated to begin at 6:30 p.m., with the annual Fireman’s Parade to follow at 7 p.m. Jackson said the tragic events of Sept. 11 inspired fair organizers to honor firefighters even more during this year’s opening ceremony and parade.
“We have always had the fireman’s parade to open the fair, but because of Sept. 11 and the renewed feeling of appreciation for fireman, we decided to do more this year,” he said.
Jackson said that Roy Leckemby, chaplain of the Fayette County Fireman’s Association, will deliver the opening remarks, a task usually reserved for politicians. Michelle Konter, the daughter of a Grindstone fireman, will sing the national anthem.
In other events slated for opening day, the annual Fayette County Fair Queen Contest will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Fiddlers Building. Jackson said that fair organizers are pleased with the number of contestants for this year’s contest.
“We have nine contestants, and we would consider that a good number,” he said.
The competition will feature several parts, including an evening gown, short speech and impromptu question.
For fair patrons seeking more adventure, the Outdoor Arena will open with Croushore’s Championship Demolition Derby at 7 p.m. Two more demolition derbies are planned for the fair: one at 7 p.m. Tuesday and the final one scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 3, at 6 p.m.
Fair organizers also are excited with ticket sales for the Lonestar concert, which will be held Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Outdoor Arena. Being billed as the biggest music act ever at the fair, the Lonestar concert should be close to a sellout by Saturday, Jackson said.
“We are very pleased with ticket sales. It has been very brisk this week,” Jackson said. “I don’t know if we will have a sellout, but we should be very close to that by Saturday.’
Anybody interested in purchasing Lonestar tickets can either stop by the fair office or call 724-628-3360.