Fayette County Fair offers diverse entertainment while continuing to promote agriculture

The 63rd Annual Fayette County Fair is scheduled to run July 27 through Aug. 5, bringing thousands of people to the Fayette County Fairgrounds in Dunbar Township for music, demolition derbies, carnival rides and good food.
This is in addition to competitions and displays that represent what’s best in local agriculture, including shows that feature livestock, horticulture and home economics.
“We feel like we fill a niche in the community to provide entertainment they can’t see elsewhere,” said Bill Jackson of Redstone Township, fair board president. “We have not only local entertainment but bring national acts to the area. We pride ourselves on bringing in diverse entertainment, realizing that people have different tastes.”
This year’s musical headliners include The Kentucky Headhunters, a Southern and country rock band that had hits in the late 1980s-90s, with “Dumas Walker” and “Oh, Lonesome Me,” and Luke Combs, a country-pop singer/songwriter who had a big hit in 2016 called “Hurricane.” His current release is called “When It Rains, It Pours.”
The fair continues to showcase fan favorites, such as The Clarks, a Pittsburgh-based rock band that features Connellsville native Scott Blasey, and oldies band The Fabulous Hubcaps, a nationally touring act whose members perform music of the ’50s and ’60s. These groups return annually.
“As long as they keep drawing as they are, we’ll keep bringing them back,” said Jackson.
The fair also responds to requests from fairgoers by re-booking some acts that have played in the past. This year, the fair is welcoming back Elvis impersonator Mike Albert as well as Kachunga and the Alligator Show. Hypnotist Mike Bishop is also making another return appearance.
“We listen to what people are saying,” said Jackson.
And there are perennial favorites, including Pigs Gone Wild racing pigs, the Barnyard Petting Zoo, Croushore’s Demolition Derby and Powers Great American Midways carnival.
Jackson also noted acts don’t change much in the Chevron Outdoor Arena with Monster Trucks, Motocross and three demolition derbies scheduled.
One change, however, is that the final demolition derby will be held on Friday, Aug. 4, switching its traditional spot on the last night of the fair with Mud Mania, which will run on Saturday, Aug. 5.
New acts are always a part of the fair. They can be hired after being seen at other fairs or a state convention or on the basis of the fair’s booking agent. This year’s new shows include Combs as well as Pirates of the Colombian Caribbean and Circus Dubois, both playing in the Family Area.
Jackson likes to remind people that the Fayette County Fair is above all, an agricultural fair, that strives to “showcase and educate people about agriculture.”
Even the Fayette County Fair Queen contest on opening night places a strong emphasis on agriculture and knowledge of the fair. Expect the Fiddlers Building to be packed when Alexis Wivell of Smock, the 2016 fair queen, crowns her successor.
Jackson noted, “We try to put on the best face we can for agriculture. People come to see entertainment but we hope they come to the barns. Hopefully, they can take something away. They can talk to people in the barns. They’re proud of what they do and how they do it. For the most part, they like being asked questions and sharing their experiences.”
Other highlights include the firemen’s parade at 7 p.m. on opening night and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 30.
Perhaps the county’s biggest event – attendance for the 2016 fair was 94,000 – the fair is also a great place for friends to become reacquainted.
“People like to socialize, particularly the agricultural community,” said Jackson. “It’s a good time to catch up with friends and neighbors.”
Admission remains $13 with early bird admission at $11 until 4 p.m. weekdays, except for opening night, July 27. Advance tickets are $10 and on sale in a number of locations that are listed on the fair’s website.
The fair also offers a number of free admission days when people who meet certain requirements can enter the grounds at no charge until 2 p.m. They include: July 30 — anyone with that day’s church bulletin; July 31 — veterans with proper identification; Aug. 1 — anyone donating at least three canned goods for the Fayette County Food Bank; Aug. 2 — senior citizens aged 62 and older; and Aug. 3 — members of a grange with proper identification. Free admission does not include the carnival and outdoor arena. Upgrades can be purchased at the fair office.
More information is available at www.fayettefair.com.