It’s Time for the Fair!
In just a few short days the Macon County Fairgrounds will come to life once again with the flashing, neon lights of the midway, the whiz of rides blaring past, and the heavenly scent of funnel cake, fried Oreos and anything-on-a-stick for the 34th annual Macon County Fair, August 1-6.
Continuing to honor the Macon County Fair tradition of offering a variety of contests, pageants, exhibits and shows, this year’s schedule is jam-packed with entertainment appealing to the entire family and some new and exciting events for fair-goers.
This year even more cash will given away each night of the fair – totaling over $14,000 for the week! Also new to the Macon County Fair this year will be Laser Tag and Go Kart Races!
Kicking off the pre-fair schedule of events is the Lego Building Contest on Saturday, July 30, at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Macon County Fairest of the Fair Pageant at 6 p.m. and the highly anticipated Demolition Derby at 7 p.m. This year’s derby will feature Stock Class Big Cars. Admission to the Derby is $5 and the contestant registration fee is $30.
On Sunday, July 31, a car show will be held from 2-5 p.m. The car show will include rat rods, trucks, tractors, motorcycles and cars. Those interested in entering a vehicle, can register at 1 p.m. The entry fee is $10.
Along with the opening of rides, a long list of other events are scheduled to take place on Monday, with fair exhibits being judged at 8 a.m. The Opening Ceremony will be held at 5:30 p.m., followed by the sheep show and the Macon County Fair Sweetheart pageant at 6 p.m. The Macon County Fair Princess pageant and ATV Rodeo will follow at 7 p.m. Carnival armbands can be purchased Monday for $16.
Tuesday’s events include the Pedal Pull, Goat Show and Mule Show at 6 p.m. and the Mrs. Macon County Pageant and battery powered vehicles event at 7 p.m. The Mrs. Senior Macon County Pageant will immediately follow the Mrs. Macon Pageant. On Tuesday, carnival armbands can also be purchased for $16 and all students, K-12, will be admitted free of charge.
On Wednesday, fair guests will be invited to attend the Little Miss Macon County Fair Pageant, and the Young Cattleman’s Show all at 6 p.m., the Commercial Beef Heifer Show at 6:15 p.m. and the Macon County Fair Beef Show at 6:30 p.m. The Bullwhip Rodeo and Petite Miss Pageant will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday is also ‘Church Night Armband Special’ night, costing $15 from 5 p.m. to closing.
Thursday events include Senior Citizens Day lunch and Bingo from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Baby Show at 5:30 p.m., Hog Show at 6 p.m. and the new Go Kart Races at 7 p.m. On Thursday, all Macon County Veterans will be admitted free and carnival armbands can be purchased for $18 per person.
Two popular events, the Tractor Pull and UTV Pull, will take place on Friday night. The UTV Pull will kick-off at 6 p.m. with the tractor pull and antique tractor pull following at 7 p.m A performance by the Southern Image Band will also take place at 7 p.m. in the Martha Wilburn Pavilion. Carnival armbands will cost $18 on Friday.
The 4-H Poultry Show & Sale will kick-off Saturday’s events at 9 a.m. The Marble Tournament is scheduled for 1 p.m. and a Youth Pet Show will follow at 2 p.m. A cornhole tournament is slated for 5 p.m. Test out your skills on the grill in the Backyard Cook-Off, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The talent show will showcase local stars at 6 p.m. and the 34th annual Truck Pull will be held at 7 p.m. Admission to the Truck Pull will cost $5 for adults and free for children 12 and under. The entry fee for contestants will be $20. A live country music concert by the Flat Rock Ramblers will close out the 2016 fair events at 8 p.m. in the Martha Wilburn Pavilion. Carnival armbands can be purchased on Saturday for $18.
The newest fair attraction – Red Dragon Laser Tag – will be a free event located next to the women’s building. Laser Tag will be open Saturday, July 30, and Monday – Wednesday, Aug. 1 – Aug. 3.
Commercial and educational exhibits and the Women’s Building will be open for viewing each day, August 1-6, from 5-10 p.m. Be sure to stop in and check out all of the entries!
During fair hours the Farm Toy Show will be on display in the Bill Speck Building and be sure to stop by the Little Red School House, where different Macon County schools and school organizations will be featured each day.
The theme for this year’s fair is ‘Country Scenes &C Children’s Dreams’ and will be portrayed throughout the week in the themes of various booths set up in the Sally Wells Building.
Fair exhibits will include submissions in the following adult categories: canning, clothing, creative table setting, field crops, fine art, floral, gardening, home cookery, needlework & crafts and photography. Youth exhibits will include sewing, needlework, canning, project/club exhibits, arts and crafts, posters, home cookery, floral, eggs, photography, creative table setting and gardening.
Channel 4’s Snowbird will be visiting the Macon County Fair on Tuesday, August 2, from 5 to 7 p.m.
A food drive will be held during the fair in the Martha Wilburn Pavilion. Donations from the food drive will benefit the Macon Helps food bank. The food drive is sponsored by the Macon County Fairest of the Fair Pageant Committee.
With such a wide variety of events, games, rides and foods, the Macon County Fair is sure to satisfy your family’s need for fun and excitement. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to make some memories of your own this year!
Exhibit entry information: All youth exhibits/entries can begin set-up at 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday, July 30. All adult, farm toy displays, decorated hay bales and field crop entries are to be set-up between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 31. Exhibit pick-up of all entries is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 7.
