The 95th Calhoun County Fair and Livestock Show opened this week with a little something for everybody.
“We’re one of the few counties in the state that still has a fair and livestock show,” Calhoun Extension Agent Trent Barnett said. “We believe it’s important because it maintains our rural heritage.”
The livestock barn is busy today (Wednesday) and tomorrow with a number of events including the goat show, pet show and annual pig scramble.
Anna Grace Pullen, Queen of this year’s Calhoun County Fair, was busy working getting her cattle ready for the Beef Show Tuesday morning, kicking off a week of livestock shows and other annual events at the fairgrounds in Pittsboro. Photo by Joel McNeece
Hayden Barnett, Connor Shelton, Parker Winter, Layla Bramlitt, Jillian Bramlitt, Jensyn Cain, Lizzy and Collier Edmondson are among local 4-H’ers scheduled to compete in the goat show.
Stormy Thompson, Jensyn Cain and Ellen Harrell participated in the swine show Tuesday. Anna Grace and Trey Pullen, Connor Shelton, Brock and Levi Gregory were all involved in the beef show.
Tonight (Wednesday) will also feature “Worship at the Fair” led by the Calhoun Baptist Association.
Derma Baptist pastor Roger Reeder described the event as “Love Radio” with Bill Bailey, Lee Marter, Meg Reeder, Lauren Sink, Arey Hill and Holy Pursuit all performing.
“We will also have an evangelism tent set up by the stage across from concessions where we will be giving away a 45 quart YAK cooler,” Reeder said. “There is no cost to enter the drawing, all we ask is for three minutes of your time to share the gospel.”
The gate fee for tonight is $3 with age 5-and-under getting in free. The carnival opens at 5 p.m. and armbands are available for $16. Armbands, which give you access to unlimited carnival rides, will be $20 Thursday and $25 Friday and Saturday. The gate fee will be $5 Friday and $8 Saturday.
“Saturday night is the PCA rodeo, which is a big deal,” Barnett said. “That’s a first class, professional show we’re very proud to be able to host.”
Friday night will also feature the biscuit making and tasting hosted by local homemakers organizations.
“Who can say no to homemade biscuits with all the honeys and jams?” Barnett said.
Beyond the biscuits, the 4-H concession stand will have a large menu of tempting foods for all fair visitors, along with the many options on the carnival midway.
“The concession stand is our biggest annual fundraiser for 4-H, so we have a lot of people that work hard to serve the best food possible,” Barnett said.
The exhibit hall will also be filled with hundreds of arts and crafts, jellies and jams, fruits and vegetables and more competing for blue ribbons.
Friday night will be barrel racing and team roping competitions in the rodeo arena. Saturday will feature the pony pull at noon.
“A lot of people always turn out for the pony pull,” Barnett said.
The rodeo will be Saturday night at 7 p.m.
Barnett, an admitted “horse and livestock person,” said he loves those shows and seeing local 4-H’ers compete, but he can’t single out any one event as a favorite.
“I love everything about the fair,” he said. “Seeing so many people come out and enjoy themselves with all the different events is very special.”
Schedule
Wednesday, July 24
1:30 p.m. Goat Show
5 p.m. Carnival Opens
7 p.m. Worship at the Fair
Thursday, July 25
5 p.m. Exhibit building opens, carnvial opens, 4-H potluck supper, biscuit making demo and tasting.
6 p.m. Pet Show
7 p.m. Pig Scramble
7:30 p.m. Youth Rodeo
Friday, July 26
1 p.m. Exhibit building opens
5 p.m. Biscuit making demo and carnival opens
7 p.m. Barrel racing and team roping
Saturday, July 27
12 p.m. Pony Pull
1 p.m. Exhibit building opens
5 p.m. Carnival opens
7 p.m. PCA Rodeo