By Charles Romans
Carter County Times
Crowds of friends and neighbors. Children and teens laughing in the crowd, wearing balloon animal hats and eating shaved ice. The smell of corndogs and cotton candy floating through the air. Local musicians doing sound checks and talking to the people filtering past the stage, before launching into songs most of them learned growing up; and quite likely heard played at fairs of years gone by. Animal sounds drifting through it all as 4H and other groups exhibit their livestock, while auctioneers call out what is currently available. Old friends greet one another after long absences, and young friends try to impress each other with their skill at prize winning or the ability to eat a ridiculous number of hot dogs, hamburgers, and the like.
These are the sights, sounds, and smells of the county fair, an event that can live for decades in the memories.
This year the Carter County Fair begins on Saturday, August 3, kicking off with the Carter County Fair Pageant at 1 pm at West Carter High School. This Pageant is open to contestants from Carter, Boyd, Greenup, Lawrence, Lewis, Elliott, and Rowan Counties. Admission is $10 for adults. And this great beginning is followed by a great fair experience that runs through Saturday, August 10.
There is a lot to enjoy at the fair this year.
Livestock auctions. Horticulture and Agriculture displays. Vendors booths. Carnival rides. A petting zoo. Motocross. And The Wild Bunch Virtual Reality display are just a few of the things the fair has to offer this year.
There is also the talent show, FTC Wrestling, the Poppa Johns pizza eating contest, and Fair-i-oke at the Midway stage after the talent show. There will also be the Top Dog Demolition Derby, James Family Outfitters Best Dressed Cowboy & Cowgirl Contest, and Carter County Tourism presents King Brothers Rodeo “Bulls & Barrels.” That event drew a lot of interest last year and promises to be a favorite this year as well. But no matter when you choose to come out, the fair board promises that every day is going to be a fun day at the fair, with many of the entertainment acts carrying over multiple days. For a full schedule of events and updates you can check out the Carter County Fair Facebook page, or look for the full schedule in this edition of the paper.
Carter County Fair Board Vice President Jill York said that the fair is always a great way to promote what Carter County has to offer while allowing residents and visitors to have a really good time.
“We try very hard to let people know that this is a true old time agricultural county fair,” York said. “There will be 4H kids exhibiting their animals, and we want you to come see that and take part in the auction.”
That participation, York said, is crucial to the 4H member completing the process that began with raising the animal.
“It’s a lot of hard work and these kids really put their hearts and hands into it. It’s great to see them rewarded for that.”
“We have all of the traditional red, white, and blue-ribbon categories,” York continued. “Bring your prize-winning peaches, green beans, and hot peppers.”
But it isn’t just agriculture. There are also arts and crafts competitions.
“You can also bring your favorite black and white photography and enter it,” she said. “We will give ribbons for participation and, of course, winning across probably a hundred categories. We have entertainment, music events, wrestling and virtual reality for people to enjoy, and there are always the carnival attractions. Really, there is something for everyone to enjoy at the 2024 Carter County Fair.”
York said that she has many fond memories of the fairs that she has attended over the years and that The Carter County Fair Board is dedicated to making the same memories for the current fair goers to remember for years to come.
“In a very real way its like the community coming together,” she said. “It’s a great and fun way to see friends and neighbors you don’t get to see every day, eat great food, and enjoy wonderful live entertainment. It’s the best social networking I can think of. “
Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com
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