GRAVETTE — The annual Benton County Fair, arguably one of the best county fairs in Arkansas, starts next Tuesday, September 15, at its location: 7640 S.W. Regional Airport Blvd., near Vaughn.
The fair is governed by a 20-member board headed by Tim Craig, president of the group.
This is the third year for fair at its new location after moving from the neardowntown-Bentonville site it occupied many years.
Although the fairgrounds do not become a real bustle of activities until Tuesday morning, things begin happening next Monday with entries in many departments being accepted. These continue at a crescendo Tuesday morning as the fair begins a full swing of activities later in the day and evening. The midway opens at 5 p.m. and beauty pageants start at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.
Showing and judging of various departments, which begins Tuesday, continue through Wednesday.
Thursday is Senior Citizens Day with free admission for persons age 55 or over from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. A program begins at 10 a.m.
Kid's Day is Friday for organized school groups of five or more accompanied by teachers and sponsors from 9 a.m. until noon. Admission is free for one adult per three children, the fair manual states.
Also on Friday there will be many events including a beautiful bovine contest and a goat costume contest and 4-H and FFA judging events.
Saturday is traditional parade day at 10 a.m., special awards presentations, youth talent show and 12-and-under pageant.
The main fair is basically over that evening but the midway will be open Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. and a "Jammin' for Jesus" event will be held from 1 to 4 p.m.
Admission for children through age 6 is free, from age 7 and over the admission is $5. Exhibitor and non-exhibitor passes are $10 and a mega pass which includes admission is $50, good for all mechanical rides, Tuesday through Sunday.
News, Pages 5 on 09/09/2009