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74th annual fair opens tonight
Regan Hill photo
Smokey Mountain Amusements worker Iris (no last name given) helps attach paneling to a fair ride in preparation for this week’s Iredell County Agricultural Fair.
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Published: September 7, 2009
Iredell County Agricultural Fair organizers are hoping new attractions, traditional favorites and affordable ticket prices will make this year's event one of the best in its history.
The 74th annual fair opens today at the fairgrounds in Troutman and runs through Saturday.
Gates open at 5 p.m. and close at 11 p.m. each day except Saturday, when gates open at noon. There will be rides, games, shows and exhibits available during operating hours.
General admission is $5 and children younger than 6 get in free.
"It's just good family fun and there's family activities for everybody to participate in," said Jim Head, fair manager.
This year's fair — which kicks off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7 p.m. today — will have a few new attractions, like the draft horse sled-pulling competition. Twenty-three teams are set to participate in the event, which starts at 6:30 p.m. today.
Other new attractions include R&S chain saw carving and nightly pig racing events — both on the hoof and in the water.
Popular favorites that are making a return are lawn mower racing and bull riding.
Head said the main purpose of the fair is to promote and get children involved in agriculture, which is always the main focus on the fair from a family-spectator standpoint.
This year there will be 40 clubs and organizations participating in the exhibit portion.
Last year was a successful one for the fair, Head said.
"We had one of the best fairs last year and that's when the economy began to slow up," he said.
Head is hoping families take advantage of the affordable ticket prices to come out and enjoy the activities.
"I'm hoping for a good crowd," he said. "Always looking to have a bigger crowd this year than last year."
The Statesville Kiwanis Club-sponsored fair's average gross income is $110,000 a year, and expenses total about $60,000, according to Head.
Proceeds from the fair are returned to the community through charitable donations and student scholarships.
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