It's almost fair time
By Kirsten Ballard
Published in News on September 23, 2014 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Westly Martin and Jose de Jesus unload parts to Pharaoh Fury Monday afternoon in preparation for Thursday's opening of the Wayne County Regional Agricultural Fair. Each ride is loaded onto a single trailer and moved from fair to fair. After the ride is assembled it will be inspected by the North Carolina Department of Labor.
Mud on the tires, the crunch of metal and the cheers of the crowd.
It's baaaacccckkk.
The Demolition Derby makes its much-anticipated return to the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair this year, with contestants squaring off on the final day of the event.
The 66th annual fair starts Thursday and continues through Oct. 4. Fair manager Eddie Pitzer, keeping an eye on the weather forecast, said he is expecting thousands of people to stream through the fairground gates throughout its 10-day run.
New to the fair is the Back 40, an educational display of how crops are actually grown; and Robox Sumo Match, a battle of robots. Along with the livestock shows, competitions, food and entertainment, Powers Great American Midway will be operating 48 rides to give both young and old a thrill.
Planning for the fair has been in the works since last year.
"Twelve months for 10 days," Pitzer said.
Pitzer said he enjoys the atmosphere of the fair the most. He said he likes watching the people who come and seeing how all the different groups across the county and eastern North Carolina interact.
"There's something for everyone," he said.
Livestock and exhibitors will be accepted Wednesday from 3 until 8 p.m., except poultry. Judging starts at 1 p.m. on Thursday.
The gates open daily at 4 p.m. On Saturday, gates open at 11 a.m., Sunday at 1 p.m. and Tuesday at 12 p.m. The midway opens an hour after the gates open, except on weekends when rides start at opening.
The first livestock event is Thursday with the junior hog show. The junior meat goat show is Friday and the junior lamb show is Saturday. The beef heifer show is Sunday. Horse enthusiasts will get their fill on Oct. 2 with the pony, mule and horse shows.
Nightly entertainment includes illusionists Josh and Lea, the Almost Amazing Rex and Dana Ryan, the Western Gun Show and the Hansen Spectacular Acrobatics.
The Wicked Bulls riding event will be held Monday and Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the grandstand. The Queen of the Fair pageant will be held this Friday at 8 p.m. The cheerleading competition is slated for Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 5 p.m. in front of the grandstands.
Admission to the fair is $7 for adults and $4 for children in grades K-12. Children under the age of 5 are admitted free and on Tuesday, Sept. 30 it will be Senior Day, with seniors age 60 and over admitted free.
Wristbands cost $25 will allow the purchaser to ride any ride they want all day, except for the SPEED ride that requires a wristband and an additional $3.
Wristbands can be purchased for $22 with a coupon that is available at area businesses.
Individual ride tickets are four for $5 and 22 for $20.
For more information, visit waynefair.com or call 919-735-7277.