BY DEBBIE PAGE
Iredell County officials gathered on Friday night to cut the ribbon and formally open the 88th Iredell County Agricultural Fair as excited families, couples, and teens looked on.
Fair manager Jim Head welcomed the crowd and thanked all of the volunteers for their hard work to make the fairgrounds and midway look special for this nine-day event.
County officials present included County Commission Chair Melissa Neader, Sheriff Darren Campbell, and Register of Deeds Renee Holland
Troutman mayor Teross Young was joined by council members Jerry Oxsher and Nick Jaroszynski and Town Manager Ron Wyatt.
Others recognized included Iredell Cooperative Extension Director Nancy Keith, past Kiwanis Club President Chuck Gallyon, volunteers, and area beauty queens.
The fair, which is held at the Iredell County Fairgrounds, located at 630 N. Main Street in Troutman, runs through September 7.
FAIR ACTIVITIES
Local farmers and 4-H Club youths are showing off the county’s booming agriculture industry with displays, livestock exhibitions, and agricultural products. Fair-goers wandered through the livestock areas marveling at the huge cattle and poultry entries, and others enjoyed the farmers’ pumpkins and other produce and products.
In exhibition halls and tents, crafters, artists, seamstresses, gardeners, bakers, and homemakers displayed their entries to demonstrate their talents in various competition categories.
Dozens of carnival rides entertained and thrilled squealing attendees, who also enjoyed a wide variety of games to test their skills. The smell of traditional fair food, desserts, and treats also enticed folks to the many vendors scattered throughout the fairgrounds.
The Magic of Lance Gifford show was in full swing on Friday night, with shows continuing twice on week days and three times on weekends. Gifford performs unique illusions and magic tricks, including the “Metamorphosis,” once performed by Harry Houdini.
For more information, visit https://fairentertainer.com/index.html.
The Kids Circus will be performing daily through September 3, performing two shows each weekday and three on weekends. Kids get to volunteer to be the stars of the circus, dressing in costumes and helping to perform in the show. After each show, the performers parade around the fairgrounds.
ADMISSION
General Admission is $5 with children ages 6 and under admitted free. Gates open at 5 p.m. except on Saturdays and Sundays when they will open at 3 p.m. The fair closes at 11 p.m.
No one will be readmitted after leaving the fairgrounds without the purchase of another ticket.
Free admission day for senior citizens (over 60) and veterans is Thursday, September 5.
Special deals on rides are also available with a family pack of 24 tickets for $25. Fair-goers can purchase an unlimited rides wristband for $20 each day. Single tickets are $1.50 each.
Parking is $3 per car in Kiwanis-operated lots on the fairgrounds property.
DAILY SPECIAL EVENTS
On the opening weekend, fans will get their thrills at the Go Kart Racing competition at 7 p.m. at the outdoor arena on Friday and Saturday nights. The dairy cattle show will be on Sunday at 7 p.m.
On Monday night, Go Kart racers will again take the track at 7 p.m. at the outdoor arena. Tuesday will feature a Beef Cattle Show along with the Mini Outlaws Racers competing, both at 7 p.m.
Mini Outlaw Racing will return on Wednesday at 7 p.m. On Thursday, fair-goers can enjoy the Sheep & Goat Show at 6 p.m., followed on Friday, September 8, with the Dairy Show at 7 p.m.
The fair’s final Saturday on September 9 will feature the 6th Annual Special Abilities Junior Dairy Show at 3 p.m. at the Indoor Arena. This show is for participants (youth through adults) with special needs to have the opportunity to work alongside of an exhibitor and show a dairy calf.
NEED MORE INFORMATION?
Call the fair office at 704-508-2126.
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