Details of Fayette County Fair released
DUNBAR TWP. — Officials offered a preview Thursday of the 58th annual Fayette County Fair, which will be held July 26 through Aug. 4 at the Fayette County Fairgrounds.
This year’s event includes such favorites as The Clarks, Fabulous Hubcaps, Pigs Gone Wild, demolition derbies and fireworks along with agricultural displays and competition throughout its 10-day run.
Fair board President Bill Jackson noted the fair is not bringing in a national country music act this year but relying on strong regional acts.
He said when the fair went to pay-one-price admission, officials began booking an up-and-coming country act that was not well known but usually broke out in the public eye the next year. A good example is Lady Antebellum, which played the fair a few years ago and went on to win several country music awards and Grammys, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year for “Need You Now” in 2011.
But Jackson said the number of people coming to see the new acts hasn’t offset expenses to book them.
“We could pay up to $20,000 and maybe 500 to 600 people turn out to see them,” he explained. “So we are going to try to stick with regional acts — things we know work.”
That includes The Clarks, who will play an outdoor show in the Chevron Arena for the third year. Local artist Chris Higbee will open the show, which begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 27. The Clarks, a rock band based in Pittsburgh, includes Connellsville native Scott Blasey
The Fabulous Hubcaps, an oldies band, will play the Lady Luck Stage in the Indoor Arena at 7 p.m. Monday, July 30.
“They’ve played here on Monday nights for 30 years — except for a few years — and they always pull in the crowds,” said Jackson.
Closing night of the fair will feature the Davisson Brothers Band from Morgantown at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, in the Indoor Arena. Local band Girlz in Black Hats will open for them. According to their website, the Davisson Brothers blend country, Southern rock and bluegrass into a unique sound and has a following throughout the Eastern United States.
Terry Lee Goffe: The Ultimate Johnny Cash Tribute will return to perform at the Indoor Arena at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 28. There will be a Battle of the Bands at 4 p.m. July 29 at the Indoor Arena. And the popular Fayette Idol competition will return for the third year, with preliminary competition at 7:15 p.m. Friday, July 27; semifinals at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1; and finals at 7:15 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, in the Fiddlers Building.
The fair board is also creating a new small stage that will showcase local musical acts.
“There’s always a lot of local bands that want to play,” said Jackson.
Located near Commercial Building No. 2, the United Bank Stage will host acts that range from Fayette County Corn Liquor Saints on opening night to Auggie Agostini and the Lucky Strikes on closing night. There is still an opening on Monday, July 30.
There is also space available in the commercial buildings, which showcase local businesses and organizations.
This year’s Family Area will feature Nerveless Nocks, which is a thrill and stunt show; Kay Rosaire’s Big Cat Encounter, John Beatty: The Strong Man, John Cassidy: Comedy, Magic & Really Weird Things with Balloons, Pigs Gone Wild racing pigs, the Barn Yard Petting Zoo, R&S Woodcarving and the return of Barney of Mayberry, an impersonation of the character Barney Fife from “The Andy Griffith Show.” There will be a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Sunday, July 29.
The Chevron Arena will include demolition derbies July 26, July 31 and Aug. 4, Truck-a-Rama and 4×4 pulls on July 28, motorcross on July 29, truck and tractor pulls on July 30, monster trucks on Aug. 1, Boys and Bulls Rodeo on Aug. 2 and Mud Mania on Aug. 3.
“The lineup is not going to change much because it’s working,” said John Blaney, fair board treasurer.
Admission prices are rising to $13. Early bird admission will be available at $11 weekdays until 4 p.m. but there will be no early bird admission on opening day. Advance tickets go on sale Monday in a variety of locations for $10 each.
Jackson noted the fair offers several free admission days until 2 p.m. for people who meet the criteria. They include Sunday, July 29 for anyone bringing a church bulletin from that day, Monday, July 30 for veterans with identification, Tuesday, July 31 for anyone bringing three canned goods for the Fayette County Food Bank, Wednesday, Aug. 1 for senior citizens age 62 and older, and Thursday, Aug. 2 for grange members with identification. Free admission does not include Powers Great American Midways or Chevron Arena but upgrades can be purchased.
Other speakers included Walt Bumgarner, county agent, who praised the fair’s support of 4-H and fair queen Katie Diamond, who said, “I had a great year and I’m excited to pass on my crown to the next fair queen.”
More information on the fair can be found at www.fayettefair.com or by calling 724-628-3247.