Summer temperatures aren’t the only thing heating up in Calhoun County. Preparation for the 93rd annual Calhoun County Fair and Livestock Show is in full-speed.
The dates are set for July 18-23 at the fairgrounds in Pittsboro.
Entry tickets will be $3 Monday through Thursday, $5 Friday, and $8 Saturday. Ages five and under are free.
The fair opens with the annual Fairest of the Fair pageant. Entry fees are $15 for beauty, $10 for photogenic.
The family-run business Mississippi Delta Shows will return with the carnival running Wednesday through Saturday, opening each day at 5 p.m. Armbands for unlimited rides are $15 Wednesday and $20 Thursday through Saturday.
Traditional events like the biscuit making demonstrations, pony pull, pig scramble, rodeo and more will be back. New activities like the Saturday morning farmers’ market and closing concert by Country Rock band Trademark out of Jackson will debut this year.
Adult and youth exhibits will be on display in the Multipurpose Building Thursday through Saturday. Exhibits range from arts and crafts to photography, flowers and more. Ribbons and cash prizes will be awarded for each division. County residents can fill out an exhibit book to submit with entries.
Both traditional and untraditional fair food will be available for purchase. The 4-H Youth Concession Stand will be selling food again including the typical burgers and hotdogs as well as taco salads and BBQ fries. Credit and debit cards will also be accepted. There will also be food vendors connected to the carnival.
All livestock entries are due July 15 by 5 p.m. with showmanship entries.
Deadline to register to be a vendor in the Farmers’ Market is July 15, vendors fees are $10 for a 9x9 space and all items must be homemade and handmade. Vendors do not have to be residents of the county.
For more information contact the Extension Office at 662-412-3777 or check out the Calhoun County Fair and Livestock Show Facebook page.
Calhoun County Fair Schedule of Events
Monday, July 18
6:30 p.m. Fairest of the Fair Beauty Pageant
Tuesday, July 19
4-7 p.m. Registration of Adult and Youth Exhibits (except baking/candy)
6:30 p.m. Youth Speed Events $5 per entry (barrels, poles, stakes, arena race)
9 p.m. Swine due in barn for show
Wednesday, July 20
8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Registration of Adult and Youth Exhibits (except baking/candy)
9:30 a.m. Deadline for goats to be in barn
12:30 p.m. In-county swine show (due in barn Tuesday)
1:30 p.m. Goat show (due by 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, weighing from 9-11 a.m.)
5 p.m. Carnival opens
Thursday, July 21
9 a.m. Judge Adult and Youth Exhibits
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Exhibit Building closed for judging and lunch
9:30 a.m. In-county poultry show
5-9 p.m. Exhibit Building open
5-7p.m. 4-H potluck supper ($5 a plate)
5 p.m. Happy Homemakers biscuit making demonstration
5 p.m. Carnvial opens
6 p.m. Pet show
7 p.m. Pony pull
7 p.m. Pig scramble
Friday, July 22
1-9 p.m. Exhibit Building open
5 p.m. Happy Homemakers biscuit making demonstration; carnival opens
7 p.m. Added money barrel racing/team roping ($1,000 added to barrels)
Saturday, July 23
8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Farmers Market (open to residents and nonresidents)
10:30 a.m. Youth Cook-Off
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Registration for Adult and Youth baking/candy contest
12-1 p.m. Exhibit Building closed for judging
1-5 p.m. Exhibit Building open
5 p.m. Carnival opens
5-7 p.m. All exhibits released
6 p.m. Sheep riding
7 p.m. Rodeo
9:30 p.m. Concert (Country Rock band Trademark)