Fair weather call
By Steve Herring
Published in News on October 5, 2015 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Liane Mixon celebrates after winning the water gun game two times in a row Sunday at the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair. Mixon gave her choice of prizes to her daughter Delaney, 10, and daughter's friend Genesis Trejo, 10, who both chose cupcakes.
News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Destiny Sanderson, 14, and Taylor Sanderson, 11, ride the Fireball at the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair Sunday. The girls screamed as the roller coaster ride spun forward and backward around in a vertical circle, suspending its riders upside down with each pass.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Olivia Massey, 1, picks apples in one of the 4-H demonstration booths at the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair Sunday. The educational booth simulated apple picking, harvesting carrots and potatoes and other agricultural activities.
DUDLEY -- The Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair opened for at least part of the day Sunday despite the weather. And whether the fair will open today is still undecided, Fair Manager Eddie Pitzer said this morning.
But the weather is expected to improve by Tuesday, and Pitzer said he believes the fair will be able to get back on schedule then.
A decision was expected by noon today as to whether the fair would open as scheduled at 4 p.m.
The fair started its 10-day run last Thursday, but did not open either Thursday or Friday because of the weather. It was open Saturday.
Rain and the threat of high gusty winds will drive today's decision, Pitzer said. The winds are the main concern, he said.
"As much as anything, it is the steady winds and gusts of up to 35 to 40 miles per hour where there is a concern about the safety of some of the rides," he said.
The decision will be posted on the News-Argus website, www.newsargus.com, and the fair's website, www.waynefair.com.
Even if the fair does not open, Pitzer said he will talk to Wayne County Public Schools officials about still holding the carpentry competition and spelling bee.
There are so many events packed into the daily schedule that once something is canceled, it is hard to work it back in, Pitzer said.
The carpentry competition is scheduled for 5 p.m. in the education showplace and the spelling bee at 5:30 p.m. in the entertainment arena.
The Wicked Bull bull riding, which was on tap for tonight and Tuesday, was canceled because of concern about the safety of the riders and the animals.
The fair operated on an abbreviated schedule on Sunday.
"We did get a little morning sun on Sunday, and it looked like we could possibly open that afternoon," Pitzer said. "But with the rain and wind, we did close at 6 p.m. The drizzle and wind made it a little difficult.
"We opened at 1 p.m. It was a small crowd that came out to enjoy the entertainment. Occasionally they had to come in because of the rain. There were definitely no lines, no waiting."
Pitzer said he cannot recall the last time the first five days of the fair had suffered through such bad weather.
But he remained optimistic.
"The forecast for Tuesday, we are looking for a warmer, sunny day," Pitzer said. "The cheerleading contest is still on for Wednesday, the horse show on Thursday and the demolition derby on Saturday.
"Senior Citizen Appreciation Day is Tuesday."
Gates are scheduled to open at noon Tuesday, 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 11 a.m. on Saturday.
"Warmer and drier -- it will be nice to see sunshine," Pitzer said.