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Fayette County Fair plans under way

By Michelle Thompson For The 5 min read

DUNBAR TWP. – An improved Indoor Arena, a rising country music star and a new attraction at the Outdoor Arena are among the additions that Fayette County Fair Board members hope will keep the turnstiles moving at this year’s fair. At a press conference Wednesday at the Fayette County Fairgrounds, the fair board announced plans for this year’s event, scheduled for July 28 to Aug. 6.

Fair officials outlined improvements being made to the Indoor Arena, including additional fans, a new paint job and a repaired roof.

The arena will play host to an assortment of entertainment, including popular country music acts.

For several years, the fair has attracted a national country star, and this year’s headliner will be Billy Currington, a country singer who hit the mainstream in a duet with Shania Twain titled “Party for Two.” Currington will perform Saturday, July 30, at 8 p.m.

His most popular songs include “I’ve got a Feelin'” and “Walk a Little Straighter.” Currington recently released his latest single, “Must be Doin’ Somethin’ Right.”

A number of local and regional musical acts also will grace the Indoor Arena stage, including the popular Povertyneck Hillbillies on July 29 at 8:45 p.m. and Aug. 6 at 9 p.m.

Other musical acts will include The Fabulous Hubcaps, Midnite Run, Crazy Cowboy, DeAnna Dawn Denning and 12-year-old Vanessa Campagna from Beaver County.

The board promises a variety of new attractions as well as updates to popular fair staples.

The Outdoor Arena, one of the most visited spots during the fair, will welcome for the first time Miller Yamaha’s FMX Freestyle Motocross Exhibition. While riding their motorcycles up ramps, riders will perform stunts as they fly through the air and return to their bikes, according to Hazel Blaney, who along with her husband, board treasurer John Blaney, coordinates the Outdoor Arena events.

Some other popular events returning to the arena include Croushore’s Championship Demolition Derby, motocross races and monster truck races. Monster truck driver and builder Dan Patrick will unleash his latest truck, “Hulk.”

“This is his latest creation,” said Hazel Blaney. “He told me on the phone that he’s introducing it here at the Fayette County Fair.”

The board remains proud of the fair’s Family Area, which many fairs do not have. This year’s largest new attraction to the Family Area includes the Tigers of India, which offers an educational look at a variety of tigers.

In addition, Radio Disney AM 540 will make its first appearance at the fair, the morning of Aug. 6, with its “Rockin’ with Radio Disney” program.

Each day, children and adults will have three opportunities to catch another new addition, Victoria’s Circus, as well as a longtime favorite, Nancy’s Racing Pigs, which will feature an additional pig race on Saturday and Sunday.

The pig races has remained a favorite event and will continue for the 18th year in a row. While Nancy Herring, who has volunteered to put on the pig races, is retiring, she will still help fair board President Bill Jackson’s daughter take over this year’s races.

“It’s been such a good show for a number of years,” said Jackson. “We wanted to continue it.”

While the fair is known for its entertainment, Jackson reminded those at Wednesday’s press conference and luncheon that the event’s purpose is to promote the county’s leading industry, agriculture.

The fair again will feature its usual variety of agricultural events, ranging from livestock to horses to floral exhibits.

Jackson made an important note that those planning to enter the floral exhibits competition (Department 17) should report to the Grange Building on Thursday, July 28. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.

Additionally, the fair board added a new floral exhibit competition this year – Department 11 – for youths under age 19.

“It gives an opportunity for youths to compete separately from adults,” Jackson said. “Hopefully, it will encourage more younger exhibitors to enter the exhibits.”

Another change sure to be popular with fair-goers is additional parking. After encountering a shortage of parking last year that caused traffic to back up onto Route 119, fair officials added 500 spaces for this year’s event, as well as three bus stops.

While organizers outlined some additions to this year’s fair, one popular feature will remain.

For the next three years, the fair board has committed to the pay-one-price plan it initiated two years ago in order to encourage more people to partake in the fair’s activities.

However, the cost of tickets will increase $1 from last year, so fair-goers will now pay $7 until 4 p.m. and $9 afterward.

The fair board is encouraging people to purchase advance tickets, which will remain at $6. The advanced tickets will have no restrictions, and fair visitors may buy them at the fair office or National City Bank until July 27, according Jackson.

“Everything is free once you get here,” he said. “We have limited seating, so everything is on a first-come, first-serve basis.”

Those with a church bulletin may enter the fair for free from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 31. The same is true for everyone who donates at least three canned goods on Tuesday, Aug. 2.

Admission is free for those 62 and older on Senior Citizens Day, Wednesday, Aug. 3, and for members of the Grange on Thursday, Aug. 4, until 4 p.m. On both days, senior citizens and Grange members he must show proper identification.

While these four days will allow certain visitors free admission into the fairgrounds, they will be charged an additional $5 for access to the carnival or Outdoor Arena.

Seating at the Outdoor Arena often proves to be the biggest cause of complaints among fair-goers.

While the arena holds 3,000 people, Jackson estimates that 500 to 1,000 people still remain standing during some of the events.

In the future, the board hopes to add 1,800 more seats, at a cost estimated at $400,000, according to John Blaney.

The board is working on some grants to absorb some of the expense, he said.

“We’ll get it done,” Blaney said. “I just don’t know how quickly.”

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