Fair fun rolls into town every September
The fair is held the second full week of September and normally kicks off with a pre-celebration the Saturday before fair week. The exhibition is a volunteer driven event with numerous unpaid volunteers working year-round to ensure the success of each season. A total of 48 people served on the fair board last season, representing just a fraction of the numerous people who volunteer time both before and during the fair. Steve Grandey serves as fair president and Kevin Lawrence first vice-president.
The fairgrounds itself is situated on a parcel located off New Smithville Highway in the northern portion of McMinnville. The fairgrounds may be accessed by entrances either on the east by New Smithville Highway or on the west by Old Smithville Highway. There are major free parking areas on both the north and south sides of the fairgrounds and paid parking areas, with the proceeds going to charity, along Fairgrounds Road, nearer to the livestock barns. The fair office is located near the grandstands and may be contacted by phone during the fair at 668-3013.
The grounds contain a paved handicapped accessible midway, grandstand and exhibition areas, and a pair of horse rings. The fairgrounds also feature Fairfield Village which is a replica of a historic downtown street complete with buildings, some of which are the actual historic buildings painstakingly moved to the village. Amongst its offerings, Fairfield Village contains a courthouse, post office, print shop, photography studio and numerous other exhibits, each erected since the village was started in 1987.
Along with rides and games offered by Cumberland Valley Shows on the midway, there are literally hundreds of events which happen during the entire week. Judging in the areas of food, art, crafts, photography, plants, animals and other categories and hobbies continues through the week, drawing thousands of entries. Premiums are paid in over 2,000 categories. The entries are displayed in a network of buildings around the grandstands while the animal and plant entries are displayed in the barns east of the grandstands, nearest the main entry to the fair off Fairgrounds Road.
The schedule begins on Saturday and is headlined normally by a bluegrass show. A gospel concert is held on Sunday evening.
Monday sees the beginning of judging in the various contests and is normally headlined Monday evening with a concert by a name performer. In 2003 the performer was Trace Atkins who performed for a packed grandstand area.
Tuesdays are headlined by the Little Fairest of the Fair, with the morning hours hosting Senior Citizens Day with numerous activities for seniors, including the always popular senior beauty contest and talent show at the grandstands.
Wednesday afternoon sees the baby show, with numerous age categories. Thursday is capped by the hotly anticipated Fairest of the Fair contest which normally draws over 35 entrants.
Friday kicks off with school day as schools around Warren County are canceled so students can spend a day at the fair. County-wide elementary contests are held at the athletic fields on the west side of the midway, featuring student contests ranging from football throw and bean bag races to sack races and tug-of-war. Cash prizes are awarded to the winners of the various contests. Friday evening has seen the advent of the popular karaoke show and contest and also sees the open beef show at the livestock barn.
On Saturday, the fairground is packed with activity all day with mini-tractor pulls and outdoorsman contests, culminating with the walking horse show. The horse show normally features around 150 horses from around the country, competing in at least 22 categories.
Anyone wishing to volunteer time or resources to the fair may do so by contacting one of the fair board members or directors.