The Highland County Fair kicked off Saturday under drizzly skies and cool temperatures, thanks in part to the remnants of Hurricane Harvey, but enthusiastic fairgoers showed up to enjoy the food, rides and attractions at the big annual event.
One of the rides suffered a breakdown over the weekend. The Paint Creek fire and EMS department responded, but all involved refused treatment. Fair board officials said the breakdown involved a chain slippage. They did not know if the ride would return to service. All other rides remained open, they said.
One of Satuday’s big events was the crowning of the fair king and queen. Blake Adams and Cole Newsome were crowned king and queen. The queen’s attendants were Brianna Burleson, Brianna Purvis and Brittany Rhoads. The king’s attendant was Jeffery Mann.
Another popular weekend attaction was the rodeo held Sunday, attracting a big crowd to watch various riding and roping competitions.
The forecast for the remainder of the week is generally pleasant with only a few threats of rain.
The popular demolition derby is Tuesday and starts at 8 p.m.
Back for the second year is KOI drag racing. It starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday and races are held on a 300-foot track in the tractor pull area.
There are tractor pulls Thursday, Friday and Saturday starting around 6:30 p.m.
The featured entertainment includes Patrick Roush at 7 p.m. Thursday, the Scott Brown Band at 8 p.m. Thursday and Terry Lee & The Rockaboogie Band at 8 p.m. Friday.
The big Junior Fair livestock sales take place Wednesday through Friday.
According to the fair board, Roush is a country singer who represents the sixth generation of his family’s farm near Lynchburg; Brown has been a timed rodeo cowboy for more than 25 years whose music was shaped by the Eagles, Steven Curtis Chapman and Vince Gill; and The Rockaboogie Band is a high-energy group built around lightning fast piano pumping.
General admission is $10 per person daily and includes rides. Admission is free for children under 3 years old, but there is a $7 fee if they want to ride rides. Season, exhibitor and Highland County Agricultural Society passes are all $25. Those with passes that want to ride will be required to pay $7 per day, except for 4-H members. Their fee is $6 per day with a pass.
Parking is free. The primary parking area is across Fair Road from the fairgrounds. Shuttles will transport people from their vehicles to the main entry gate along Fair Road. There are other entry gates, but the gate along Fair Road is the one the fair board would prefer be used by people driving to the fair.
Inside the fairgrounds, the fair board provides transportation driven by the Masons to transport people who are handicapped or otherwise have difficulty walking.
