Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Nevada County Fair Begins Next Tuesday

It's fair time once again in Prescott.

The 59th Annual Nevada County Fair is scheduled for Sept. 19-23 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.

According to James Cannon, president of the Nevada County Fair Board, everything is lined out and ready to go for the fair and shows. He said the carnival is supposed to be here this year, with Big J Amusements already having sent signed contracts, posters and advance tickets to the event.

Cannon said Big J Amusements is expected to bring 10-12 rides, along with 10-12 game booths. Tickets can be purchased at the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce, the Nevada County Clerk's Office, Nevada School, Emmet School and Prescott Schools, or from any member of the fair board. Tickets are $1 for children 5-12, and $2 for those 12 and older.

The drought the area has been suffering with, in spite of the recent spate of cooler temperatures, will most likely have an adverse effect on some divisions in the horticulture area. Cannon said he has no idea how many entries there will be in the horticulture entries. He said the potted plant show may have the number of entries reduced as well because of the dry weather.

There will be some changes at this year's fair. Terry Tomlin, pageant director, said the Fair Queen Contest has been moved from Saturday night to Tuesday, Sept. 19. All entries in this division must be received, he said, by 5 p.m. Sept. 11. Cannon said the entertainment was switched with the queen's contest, putting it on Saturday night. The featured singers this year will be local songmasters Chad Cornelius and Lori Duke. In addition, because of interest shown by the local 4-H Horse Club, there will be, for the first time, a horse show at the fair.

This year's theme for the fair is "Fun for Everyone." The schedule of events shapes up to provide those who participate and visit with a good time. Those planning to enter any of the agricultural, or artistic events must do so Sunday, Sept. 17 between 1:30-4 p.m. and Monday, Sept. 18, from 8:30-10 a.m. This includes arts, crafts, clothing, baked goods, quilts, household articles, food preservation, fall gardens, field crops and furniture.

The official judging of the home economic sections, fall gardens, field crops, 4-H and school booths, along with the extension family and community education clubs, will be held at 12:30 p.m. Monday. Once the judging is complete, the exhibit buildings will be closed.

The real fun begins at 7 a.m. Tuesday, when the flower show entries are brought in. The floral entries must be made between 7-9 a.m., with judging to begin t 9 o'clock. From noon until 5 p.m. the livestock must be entered. This includes cattle, swine, sheep, rabbits, goats and the 4-H poultry chain.

At 5 p.m. Tuesday, the annual parade will be held in the city, following its usual route. The parade will begin at Second and Olive streets, turning right, heading to the four-way flashing lighlt. It will then turn left at Elm, crossing the railroad track, taking a left on Main Street and ending at the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce.

Things get busy at 6 o'clock as the exhibit buildings are finally opened to the public, the carnival officially opens, and the queen contest begins. The young ladies competing for crowns as Young Miss, Junior Miss, Teen Miss and Fair Queen will take center stage at 6:30 p.m. According to the rules for the contest, contestants must be residents of the county, and have lived in Nevada County for at least six months; they may not be, or ever have been married or pregnant; and no professional models are allowed to enter. Professional models are defined as anyone who has been paid for modeling. Dress for the pageants is as follows: ages 0-10, short pageant wear; ages 11-21, floor-length gowns only.

Action begins at noon Wednesday of the fair with the exhibit buildings opening. The livestock show is on tap for 5 p.m., with a gospel program scheduled from 7-9 o'clock.

There will be plenty to see Thursday, as the exhibit buildings open at 5 p.m., the same time the 4-H premium sale is slated. The carnival will be up and running from 6-10 p.m., and the beauty contests will conclude with the smaller children's categories. These include the infant division, ages 0-11 months; baby miss, 12-23 months; tiny miss, 2-3 years; little miss, 4-5; and petite miss, 6-7. The little mister contest, ages 12-23 months and 2-3 years old, will also be held at this time.

Once again, Friday sees the exhibit buildings open at 5 p.m., with the horse show to begin at this time as well. The midway offers up its temptations at 6 o'clock.

The festivities wind down on Saturday, but there will be plenty on hand to lure those who show up. At 4:30 p.m., the pet show begins. This will include the smallest pets, most talented pets and the most unusual pet. However, all pets must be accompanied at all times, and either be leashed or caged.

The exhibit buildings open up at 5 o'clock, with the carnival and entertainment competing for people's attention at 6. All livestock will be released to its owners at 7 p.m.

Though the fair ends Saturday, exhibitors need to return Sunday between 1:30-4 p.m. to pick up their entries. All commercial booths must be dismantled and removed by 4 o'clock Sunday as well.

"We're hoping for good weather," Cannon said. "We're looking for an excellent turnout, and hope to get people involved."

Those competing who earn either a first or second place finish will be eligible to compete in the Southwest Arkansas Livestock Show and Rodeo in Hope, Sept. 26-30. The winners at the Hope event can then make plans to compete in the Arkansas State Fair in Little Rock. The state fair is traditionally held in October.