Preparations on schedule for fair opening
By Steve Herring
Published in News on September 30, 2015 1:46 PM
DUDLEY -- The threat of rain, possibly heavy at times, over the next several days is not slowing preparations for Thursday's opening of the 67th annual Regional Agricultural Fair.
"We are preparing for the best and dealing with the rest," fair manager Eddie Pitzer said this morning. "One thing that we can't do anything about is the weather. We just have to deal with it. We are still hoping for a good show, and we will work around the rain the best that we can.
"We are pretty set for our 10 days, rain or not. We will look at the forecast as far as predictions from day to day. Winds are a concern. We will stay in touch with the Weather Service. We won't call off anything until it looks like we have no other choice."
Fortunately, the land the fair sits on is light and drains quickly, Pitzer said. Also, the areas were people will be walking have been paved with asphalt, he said.
Exhibits will be taken in as planned today from 3 to 8 p.m. and again Thursday until noon leading up to the gates opening at 4 p.m.
Inspectors with the state Department of Labor were to be at the fair today inspecting the carnival rides, Pitzer said.
"Everything is geared around the 10 days," Pitzer said. "We will deal with the rain. There is no need to get discouraged."
The National Weather Service forecast is calling for a chance of showers and possible thunderstorms today, showers on Thursday and a 100 percent chance of rain Friday through Saturday.
Showers are expected Saturday night with a chance of showers on Sunday and Sunday night as well.