Clayton County Fair is Aug. 5-10
The popular kiddie calf show is one of many events people can enjoy at the 161st Clayton County Fair, held Aug. 5-10 at the fairgrounds in National. (NIT file photo)
Enjoy the ride at the 161st Clayton County Fair, held Aug. 5-10 at the fairgrounds in National.
Events kick off Wednesday, Aug. 5, with the horse show at 9 a.m. The evening will be busy, as the barbecue meal will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. and the flag raising ceremony and fair queen pageant at 6:30 p.m. The 4-H Style Show and Share the Fun Show will begin at 7 p.m.
On Thursday, Aug. 6, the rabbit show will be held at the small arena at 12:30 p.m. and the dog show in the large arena at 1:30 p.m. Open class entries will be judged at 1 p.m., while the open class foods department bake sale will take place at 3 p.m.
Evening entertainment will consist of country artist Jon Pardi, who will hit the grandstand stage at 8:30 p.m. Pardi’s first top-10 hit, ”Up All Night,” was released in 2013. He offers a high-energy performance, with a sound reminiscent of country greats Waylon Jennings, Buck Owens and Merle Haggard.
Friday, Aug, 7 will be a busy day for animal showing, with the meat goat show in the small arena at 9:30 a.m. and the sheep show in the small arena at 11 a.m. The large arena will host bucket bottle calf judging at 10 a.m. In the afternoon, the beef heifer show will be held at the large arena at 2 p.m., with the market beef show at the same location at 5:30 p.m. Bingo will be played in the 4-H shelter house from 3 to 7 p.m.
Country music will again sound across the fairgrounds Friday evening as legendary songstress Lorrie Morgan will perform at 8:30 p.m. Morgan has sold over six million records worldwide and boasts 14 top-10 hits, 12 recorded albums and four female vocalist of the year awards.
Saturday, Aug. 8 events will begin at 9 a.m., with the swine show, held in the small arena. The large arena will host the dairy show beginning at 9:30 a.m. The dairy goat show will take place at 4 p.m. in the large arena.
Other activities throughout the day include a kiddie tractor pull at 11 a.m. and Bingo at the 4-H shelter house from 3 to 7 p.m. The demolition derby will rumble into action at 1 p.m. A power wheel derby/race for kids will be held prior to the demo derby for interested youngsters.
The evening grandstand entertainment will commence at 5 p.m., with the open and celebrity stick pony rodeo. The fifth annual Clayton County Bull Bash will bust out of the gates at 7 p.m. The family won’t want to miss the fun and excitement of live bull riding at this officially-sanctioned event. In addition, the Bull Riders of America will present the “Event of the Year” award to the Clayton County Fair for the 2014 Bull Bash.
The 4-H and FFA dairy and livestock judging contest, beginning at 9:30 a.m., will lead off events on Sunday, Aug. 9. The popular kiddie calf show will be held in the large arena at noon. The large arena will also host the Youth Olympics at 2:30 p.m., while Bingo will again be played in the 4-H shelter house from 3 to 7 p.m. The two-track, fast-paced truck and tractor pull will take off at 11 a.m.
At 5 p.m., get ready to split your sides with laughter while watching the celebrity donkey races at the grandstands. The event will consist of five action-packed elimination heats followed by one championship heat. Spectators will be entertained by the donkey jockeys, made up of local community members.
Attendees can check out the 4-H exhibit hall throughout the fair, from 5 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, noon to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. According to Tammy Muller, County 4-H and Youth Program Coordinator, 2,819 exhibits are entered for competition. Exhibits include animals as well as non-livestock projects like communication presentations, fashion, agriculture and natural resources, expressive arts, family and consumer sciences, personal development, mechanics and engineering.
The commercial exhibit hall will be open noon to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
Free to everyone, carnival rides will be offered Wednesday evening and both day and night Thursday through Sunday. The midway is operated by Amusement Associates, LLC and consists of 10 to 12 rides plus games and concessions. There will be a fee for the games and concessions.
The fair will end Monday, Aug. 10, with the 9 a.m. livestock auction.
