Wait is over as A&L Fair gets under way Friday
The 52nd annual Warren County A&L Fair is just two days from opening day and fair president Steve Grandey guarantees this fair will be even better than last year’s event.
“While we do offer top-flight entertainment and attractions each year, it is our commitment to the agriculture and livestock part of the fair that makes it unique in the state,” Grandey said.
The 2005 fair will kick off Friday night and will last until the following Saturday, Sept. 17. Eight packed days of events is what this year’s fair has to offer with headliner country band Confederate Railroad taking center stage 7 p.m. Monday night at the Grandstand Arena.
The group, which has six members including lead singer Danny Shirley of Chattanooga, recently released its eighth album. Mark Dufresne (drums), Chris McDaniel (keyboard), Gates Nichols (pedal steel), Wayne Secrest (bass) and Jimmy Dormire (guitar) provide the musical backup for Shirley. Their hits include songs such as “Queen of Memphis,” “Trashy Women,” “Jesus and Mama,” and “Daddy Never Was The Cadillac Kind.”
Aside from the concert, this year’s pageants include the Senior Citizen Beauty and Talent Show, the Little Fairest of the Fair pageant on Tuesday, along with the Baby Show on Wednesday. The Little Fairest of the Fair has 72 participants while the Baby Show has 141 entries.
Rounding out the pageants will be the Fairest of the Fair event Thursday night where 2004 winner Madesta Smedley will hand over her crown to the new Fairest of the Fair. There will be 46 ladies vying for the coveted title.
Gospel Day at the fair is scheduled for Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Solidarity, Jonathan and Shelly Womack, One Accord, Sisters in Christ, New Union Baptist Church Choir, Stephanie Brock, the Caravan Singers, Bob Reed, The Nunleys, Kelly Marlowe, Stacey and Chris, Richard Graham, Just Passing Through, Pioneer Community Baptist Church Praise and Worship Team, Nolan Campbell, David Neal and special guests The Watchman of Woodbury will all be performing at the Grandstand Arena.
The fair will wind up Saturday, Sept. 17 with the Warren County Walking Horse Show which will be followed by the Open to the World Walking Horse Show in the Grandstand Arena.
With all of the fun to be enjoyed throughout the week, often the behind the scenes part of the fair is forgotten. Due to the approximately 200 volunteers, the fair is free to the public. The volunteers will be doing everything from attending exhibits to parking cars.
“There’s a lot of work that has to be done all year around,” Fair Committee treasurer Carol Grandey said. “The volunteers are what makes this happen. They are the reason you can go down to the fair, spend all day and not spend a dime.”
Ride tickets are currently on sale at the following locations: Kingwood Foodland, Newtown Foodland, Delores’ Market, Super Rama Foods, Save-A-Lot, Tobacco Shoppe and the Southern Standard. The tickets are on sale until Sept. 11 in which 30 ride tickets can be bought for $16 with a savings of $6.50 from the gate price. Share A Christmas Dinner and Noon Exchange Club’s Children’s Christmas Fund will receive $1 from each sheet of tickets sold.
The rides will open Monday night at 6 p.m. and stay open until 11 p.m. throughout the week. On Saturday, Sept. 17 the rides will stay open from 6 p.m. until the people go home.
Warren County A&L Fair
Saturday, Sept.10
9 a.m.: Dairy Goat Show
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.” Entries accepted in agriculture, canning, ceramics, clothing, adult arts, entomology, heritage crafts, related arts & crafts, senior citizens hobby & crafts, photography, pro photography & graphic arts and nursery display
12 p.m.: Warren Co. Saddle Club fun and games
6 p.m.: Antique Tractor & Truck Pull
7 – 10 p.m.: Bluegrass music at grandstand: Macedonian Boys, Dedric Hall, Rank Strangers
Sunday, Sept.11
1 – 5 p.m.: Gospel Music: singing by local groups and groups from surrounding counties
Monday, Sept.12
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Judging of agriculture, canning, ceramics, clothing, related arts & crafts, heritage crafts, adult & school art, photography and nursery display
7 p.m.: Confederate Railroad at grandstands
Tuesday, Sept.13
8:30 a.m.: Senior Citizens Beauty & Talent Show, Fun Festival followed by Senior Citizens Sack Lunch Picnic and Bingo
4 p.m.: Youth Bicycle Rodeo
5:45 p.m.: WCHS Band
5:45 p.m.: Pioneerettes
7 p.m.: Little Fairest of the Fair Pageant
Wednesday, Sept.14
3:30 p.m.: Baby Show
6:30 p.m.: Silver and Gold Band
Thursday, Sept.15
6:30 p.m.: Announcement of Award Winners
7 p.m.: Fairest of the Fair pageant
Friday, Sept. 16
8 a.m.-12 p.m.: School Day
6 p.m.: Open Beef Show
6 p.m.: Karaoke at grandstands
Saturday, Sept. 17
8:30 a.m.: Dog Show
10 a.m.: Open Sheep Show & Youth Sheep Show
11 a.m.: Mule Show
3:30 p.m.: Mini Tractor Pull
5:30 p.m.: Jack Smedley and local talent
6:30 p.m.: Warren Co. Walking Horse Show followed by the Open to the World Walking Horse Show