Duplin to bring county fair back
By Aaron Moore
Published in News on July 30, 2011 11:26 PM
KENANSVILLE -- After years of waiting, Duplin County residents are getting their fair back this fall.
Sponsored by the Duplin County Agribusiness Advisory Council, the fair will be at the county Events Center off N.C. 11, and it will feature exhibits on livestock, crops, hay, canning, clothing, arts and crafts, all brought in by local farmers and artisans.
Officials said there will also be carnival rides for adults and children. The event will be modeled somewhat after Wayne County's fair, which has been recognized as the best county fair in North and South Carolina.
"It's going to be big," Cooperative Extension director Wanda Clay said. "Duplin County's been wanting a fair for years. People have actually missed having the fair and the chance to market."
Before officials decided to reinstate the fair, Ms. Clay said she had gotten a lot of feedback from adults and children asking to bring the event back.
"There'd been a lot of calls coming into the office about why we didn't have a fair anymore," she said.
Ms. Clay said the fair will be an opportunity for fun and fellowship, as well as a chance to market Cooperative Extension's educational programs, such as 4-H, and for farmers to market their crops and livestock.
"I think we're on the right track," she said. "We have a dynamite support group."
The fair will be Sept. 14-18. Exhibits will be inside the Events Center, while rides will be outside.
All entries in the fair must be grown, prepared or made since September 2010 and will be accepted at the fairgrounds Sept. 12 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sept. 13 from 8 a.m. to noon. Cash prizes up to $150 will be given out for winners.