Plans are under way for 2007 fair debut
By Anessa Myers
Published in News on September 9, 2007 2:21 AM
Fair food and festivities are less than three weeks away -- and the rodeo is back on the ticket.
Fried dough, funnel cakes, caramel apples, cotton candy and a full scale of family attractions will fill the schedule for the 59th Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair.
The fair starts Sept. 27 and will finish Oct. 6.
Back this year after a brief hiatus, the Double Duce Bull Riding returns for two nights, Oct. 1 and 2 at 7 p.m., with performances to be held at the grandstand.
"It's a very popular event," said Milton Ingram, fair director. "They do a fantastic job. They are very professional. It is a great show to see."
If the excitement of bulls isn't enough, fireworks might fill the void. The skies above the fairgrounds will be filled with bursts of red, white and blue both Friday and Saturday nights at 9 p.m.
Also back this year will be the demolition derby, with cars set to be smashed at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 6, at the grandstand.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, with frills and lace, the Queen of the Fair Pageant will be on Friday, Sept. 28, at 8 p.m. in the Entertainment Arena.
The Western Gunfight Show will make the audience feel as though they are in an old western town at 8 p.m. Sept. 27-28, Oct. 1-3 and Oct. 5, and at 8:30 p.m. Sept. 29 and Oct. 6. There will be no gunfight shows Sunday, Sept. 30, or Thursday, Oct. 4.
The Mills Family Variety Show, featuring juggling acts, will perform at the pavilion three times daily throughout the fair.
The Magically Medieval Show will perform three times daily through Sept. 30 near the White Building. Featuring Taylor Michaels, the show will be a medieval-themed magic display with a castle, period costumes and audience participation.
Puppets galore also will be part of this year's fair. Children may enjoy ventriloquist Freddie Pierce who will hold two shows daily at the Pavilion Stage, as well as "The Almost Amazing Rex and Trouble" holding several shows a day on the Kidzville Stage.
Kidzville will have much more to offer, with clowns, sand art, face painting, hair coloring, cow milking and Kidzville Olympics.
The Kid's Club "Discover Agriculture" Contest will take place at different times daily for several hours.
On Monday, Oct. 1, through Friday, Oct. 5, from 9 a.m. to noon, the fair will have free preschool and kindergarten entertainment, but attendance is limited to children, teachers and chaperones. The entertainment will include shows, pig races, wagon rides, livestock and other exhibits. Wayne County Schools visits should be coordinated through Hope Myerhoffer's office. Other kindergarten and preschools should contact the fair office at 919-735-7277 to schedule their visits.
For animal lovers, the fair offers more than livestock barns.
Pigs will race three times daily at Hogway Speedway located near the White Building.
The Barnyard will be open daily in the White Building, giving everyone a chance to learn about cattle, goats, pigs, sheep and other animals, and the Barnyard Express Show, featuring Farmer John, his special dog, Pal, and other farm animals, will take place near the White Building three times daily.
Vintage farm equipment and the farm exhibit also will be displayed beside the White Building throughout the fair.
Powers Great American Midways out of Burgaw, N.C., will provide the 48 amusement rides this year. On weekdays and Sunday, ride-all-you-wish tickets are $20. On Sept. 29 and Oct. 6, ride-all-you-wish tickets are $15 from noon to 5 p.m., and $20 from 5 p.m. until close. "Bargain Day" is Monday, Oct. 2, when unlimited riding costs $15. Individual ride tickets will also be available throughout the week. Rides will begin weekdays at 4 p.m., Saturdays at noon and Sunday at 1 p.m.
Keep in mind that outdoor events and contests don't have rain dates. If inclement weather occurs, the event or contest will be canceled.
Fair gates will open at 4 p.m. Sept. 27-28, Oct. 1 and Oct. 3-5. On Saturdays, gates will open at 11 a.m. On Sunday, Sept. 30, gates will open at 1 p.m., and on Tuesday, Oct. 2, the gates will open at noon.
Fair admission tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children and are to be purchased during the fair. "Bargain Day" offers $1 off admission tickets.
Group tickets are available in advance by calling the fair office.