Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Everything In Place for Clark County Fair

All is ready for the Clark County Fair, scheduled for Sept. 11-16 at the Clark County Fairgrounds in Arkadelphia.

However, the action gets underway Saturday night, as the Fair Queen will be chosen. According to Judy Beaty, a member of the Clark County Fair Commission, the Queen's Contest will be held in the commercial building on the fairgrounds at 7 p.m.

There are eight young women vying for the Fair Queen crown, while 19 young ladies will compete for the Little Miss title.

Contestants for Fair Queen are: Nikki Green of Arkadelphia; Janna Friebolt of Arkadelphia; Charity Lynn Calhoun of Arkadelphia; Stephanie Ann Ross of Arkadelphia; Dayle Cosh of Arkadelphia; D. Michelle Thompson of Arkadelphia; Katie McKinnon of Gurdon; and Roxie Janella Hannah of Arkadelphia.

The Little Miss contestants are: Hollie Hughes of Gurdon; Catherine Arnold of Gurdon; Kelsie Cox of Arkadelphia; Alison Lee of Arkadelphia; Kirsten Beard of Arkadelphia; Kinsey Hornsby of Arkadelphia; Leslie Humphries of Arkadelphia; Jordan Easley of Arkadelphia; Madeline Purdy of Gurdon; Jessica Phelps of Arkadelphia; Jessica Butler of Arkadelphia; Kristin Craft of Arkadelphia; Chelitha Bryant of Arkadelphia; Aaren Crews of Arkadelphia; Shelley Bledsoe of Arkadelphia; Brandi Boyette of Arkadelphia; Chelcie Easley of Arkadelphia; Whitney Wallum of Arkadelphia; and Anneliesa Hasley of Arkadelphia.

Beaty said the festivities will kick off with the annual parade through downtown Wednesday afternoon at 5. However, she said entries for the horticulture, food preservation, and arts and crafts competition must be in by Tuesday.

The Five Americans will be the featured entertainment for the dance at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the commercial building, with a drawing for a door prize scheduled for 9:30 p.m.

Additionally, the carnival opens Tuesday, with armband day starting at 5 p.m.

Wednesday, according to the schedule in the fair catalog, will be when the entries for the various exhibits will be held. Fine arts must be registered by 9 a.m. Wednesday, with judging to be held at 1 that afternoon. The commercial booths will be set up by non, with all entries in the livestock and poultry competition required to be in by 5 o'clock.

Also, Wednesday will be an alternate amrband day, starting at 5 p.m. Beaty said those participating in armband day can do so either Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. The educational building will be open from 5-9 p.m., with a drawing for a door prize slated for 9:30.

Thursday sees the livestock judging start at 8 a.m., with swine first, followed by sheep, goats, dairy and cattle. Showmanship follows the judging. Youngsters can get involved in the cattle showing with the Pee Wee Show, scheduled after all other judging is completed. Those in the Pee Wee Show must borrow an animal to show. Thursday will be the third armband day, with the educational building open on this day from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. The drawing for Thursday's door prize will be held again at 9:30.

The midway will be in full swing all day Friday, and the exhibitions will be on display all day. The door prize drawing will be held a little later, at 10 p.m.

Saturday sees a full day of activity, with the educational building open at 9 a.m.; the 4-H poultry chain sale at 10 a.m., the George Sharp Junior Livestock Sale at 10:30 a.m., followed by an appreciation lunch for the buyers. Saturday will be kiddie day on the midway, with registration for a video game player between noon and 5 p.m. The drawing for the video game will be held at 5 o'clock. The door prize drawing will be held at 10 p.m. in the commercial building, and all exhibits will be released at midnight.

This year, exhibitors must remove their exhibits from the fairgrounds between 2-3 .m. Sunday, or forfeit their awards.

Beaty said there will be between 12 and 15 rides on the midway, along with the game booths. Parking will cost visitors $2 per car, with no gate fee charged.

The first and second place winners in each division will be qualified to participate in the Southwest Arkansas Livestock Show and Rodeo, scheduled for Sept. 26-30 in Hope.

As a special added attraction to this year's fair, Beaty said there will be a "Womanless Beauty Contest" held Tuesday night during intermission of the Five American's at the dance. So far, 26 men have been nominated for this competition.