Put your boots on and grab your cowboy hat and be sure to give yourself enough time to see the whole kit and caboodle at this year’s Chesterfield County Fair. Opening Friday, Aug. 28 at 4 p.m., the ace-high nine-day affair has loads of excitement and entertainment. From the Barnyard Review and the Star Dust Circus to the Tumbleweed Crossing Comedy Western Show are all new this year, with all the returning acts, midway rides and grandstand shows, fair goers can expect a hog-killin’ time.
Hosted by the Chesterfield County Fair Association (CCFA), Brenda White, in her first year as General Manager of the Fair, said the fair could not happen without the support and cooperation of its officers, directors and support staff. “One person cannot accomplish such feats,” she said. “It takes a strong collaborative effort on everyone’s part and the teamwork I’ve witnessed and experienced has been amazing.” She said, adding, “With their help, and also with that of Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation and the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors, we have a new 20-year lease and new asphalt throughout the grounds.”
CCFA President Ken Chandler said “Folks just don’t realize what it takes to put a fair on.” Their partnership with Chesterfield County for the use of the fairgrounds, for the next 20 years, gives the fair a bright future. He said the new asphalt on the midway and the walkways will help eliminate dust while making the fairgrounds more accessible to wheelchairs, strollers and anyone moving about the grounds. “The most exciting thing is seeing the fair come together. One day the grounds are completely bare and the next it comes alive with excitement,” he said.
Chandler was happy to say they replaced all the bulbs but four of the 200 lights that illuminate the fairgrounds. “Four were unable to be replaced because they just don’t make them anymore,” he said. “The information booth and Gate 3 ticket booths have also been replaced. More improvements are planned for the future now that the lease with the county has been renewed.”
Additional new attractions for the fair this year include the Broken Road Farm Animals, K9s in Flight-Frisbee & Dock Diving Dog Show, Parachute Rocket and the American Racing Mower Association (two nights of racing lawn mowers), which should keep the crowd roaring.
For the cowboys, Extreme Bull Riding and Mutton Bustin returns this year for two evenings on the first weekend of the fair, and if you like pro-wrestling, GXW Live Pro Wresting will take place Tuesday with bell time at 7:30 p.m.
There are two pageant contests. The Chesterfield County Fair Princess Pageant is Saturday, Aug. 29 at 10 a.m. at the L.C. Bird High School auditorium and on Monday, Aug. 31 at 8 p.m. Miss Chesterfield County Fair will be crowned.
Musical line-up includes 7 Bridges, Brittany Marie, Keith Henderson, the Fort Lee Army Band, Senior Idol, Flashback, En’Novations, The Embers, Glen Shelton, Southland Band and Klaxton Brown.
Food vendors, trade vendors, and competition of the best fruit, vegetable and flower growers and craftsmen will take place in the Arts & Crafts building, plus racing pigs, barrel rides, pony rides, camel rides and a Beach Party featuring the Embers on Friday, Sept. 4 and much more. It is a fair not to be missed and one that will top off your summer off.
The Premium Guide Books have been distributed to all the libraries and several businesses throughout the county giving you all the fair details. The fair runs from Aug. 28 through Sept. 5, 4 to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. until 11 p.m. on Sunday. Admission to the fair is $10 for adults, $5 for children four to 12, children three and under are free and $7 for seniors. Midway rides are extra and there are special promotional days for half price tickets. Each Saturday kids can ride all midway rides for $1 each from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.
To find out more information and purchase online tickets visit www.chesterfieldcountyfair.org
