Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Armband night set for Clark County Fair

Whether it is letting the kids ride the rides for a one-time armband price, or taking them to a petting zoo where they might also get an education in how to milk a cow, a county fair can be fun and a county fair is what is coming here - Clark County Fair, Friday, Sept. 10 through Sunday, Sept. 19.

Mildred Welch, president of the Clark County Fair Board, said, "We have some new things for Gurdon's children this year, as well as any child who attends the fair. There is no admittance, just a $3 parking ticket to pay. That is the same if 10 people are in a car or one.

"The big kickoff for kids is our first arm band night at the fair carnival on Tuesday, Sept. 14. The arm band rides start at 6 p.m. If you buy a ticket from say USBank or First State Bank at Gurdon, ahead of time, the arm bands cost $9. If you get them at the carnival, it is $12."

Welch said several items in the petting zoo will be new this year, but the cow milking strikes her mind the most. At 9 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 17, Farm Bureau women will milk cows for children (and any adult who has not seen such a thing.)

The event will take place over by the barn and there is no parking fee that morning. School bus loads of kids are welcome. Preschoolers and kindergartners are especially encouraged to come and be fascinated by nature.

Welch said detailed scheduling is important to know so as not to miss anything at the fair. For a complete, play by play schedule, get a fair book at USBank in Gurdon and other locations.

On Friday, Sept. 10, it is registration deadline for the Pee Wee livestock show, which will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18. Entries should register before 4:30 p.m. on that Friday, Sept. 10.

On the first fair Saturday, Sept. 11, the Fair Pageant will be held at Henderson State University.

Nothing is on the schedule for Monday, as final preparations for the Midway will be under way. After the initial blast of a Tuesday night, Sept. 14, arm band night, a gospel singing will occur at 7 p.m. and a Rockin' U Rodeo Queen Contest at 8 p.m.

Welch said there will be five different gospel groups performing that evening. At 9:30 p.m., there will be a gift drawing that evening for groceries.

Welch said a couple of other things have been added especially for young children; a Pretty Baby/Child Photo Contest and Pee Wee Showmanship.

The first of the two is the Pee Wee Showmanship. Rules were provided by Karen Kirkpatrick of Williams Saw Company. The Pee Wee Livestock will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18.

Rules: 1) Animals must be shown by youth under nine-years-old who are residents of Clark County. 2) Animals must meet health requirements set forth by the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission. 3) Animals will not qualify for premium sale. 4) Animals may be released early from the fairgrounds at the discretion of the livestock superintendent. 5) Points are not awarded for the Pee Wee show. 6) Pee Wee exhibitors who register by noon on Friday, Sept. 10, at the Extension Office will receive a Clark County Fair T-Shirt.

As to the Pretty Baby/Child Photo Contest, Judy Beaty is the superintendent. Those interested may contact her at: 870-246-6465. Rules are:

1) Only 8 X 10, color or black and white, photographs, that are no older than six months may be entered. No other sizes will be accepted.

2) Frames will be provided. Do not bring framed photographs.

3) There are five divisions: newborn to six-months-old, 7 to 12 months, 13 to 24 months, 25 to 35 months, and three to four years.

4) There will be a male and female winner in each division. Each winner will receive a trophy and $25.

5) A name, the child's age, parents' name, telephone number and category in which photograph is to be entered must be on the back of the photograph.

6) A $10, non-refundable entry fee must accompany the entry.

7) All entries must remain on display during the week of the fair.

8) Do not mail your entry. Register photographs on Wednesday, Sept. 15, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Commercial Building. Entry forms will be available there.

9) Results will be displayed after the fair parade.

10) Entries must be picked up from 2 until 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 19.

Welch said the fair parade will be at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 15, on Main Street in Arkadelphia.

"Other new things involve the rodeo," she said. "There is a rodeo queen contest at 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Thursday at 8 p.m., there is more special rodeo. We will have additional carnival armband nights on Wednesday and Thursday, starting at 6 p.m."

The swine, sheep and goat shows will happen at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the barn. Thursday at 6 p.m. is beef and dairy.

"When it comes to our Saturday night (Sept. 18) Pee Wee Livestock Sale at 6 p.m., grandparents are sure welcome," Welch said. "Saturday gets started with the 4H Poultry Chain Sale at 10 a.m., followed by the George T. Sharp Junior Livestock Sale at 10:30 a.m. The nice thing about the Sharp sale is the animals are bought and then returned to the original owners. Some of the animals then go to state fair."

Welch, who has been going for a long time, summed up the Clark County Fair as such, "We have a good time out there."