The fair is coming!
Published 10:21 pm Wednesday, September 8, 2010
The Isle of Wight County Fair is coming to the Joel C. Bradshaw Fairgrounds in Windsor next week, and a variety of new acts and old favorites will delight attendees all weekend long.
The fair is open Sept. 16-19, with a sneak peek and seafood festival on Sept. 15. Admission prices vary throughout the weekend.
“There’s so much to see and do at the Isle of Wight County Fair,” said Darlene Keyt, fair coordinator. “There’s literally something for everybody, for all ages.”
Last year’s fair grew by 70 percent over 2008, based on the number of attendees, Keyt said. She also touted the fact that there were no arrests on the fair grounds at last year’s fair.
“It’s an easy sell, because it’s a great event,” Keyt said. “We hope that attendance will continue to increase.”
The main stage lineup includes local and regional acts as well as national recording stars.
“On Thursday night, we have what we call our double-feature teen talent,” Keyt said. Local girls Celeste Kellogg and Bria Kelly will be part of two different acts at 6:15 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively.
Kellogg has performed with Radio Disney, where she opened for The Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Raven and the Cheetah Girls. Kelly will perform with the CoastLand Band, made up of local teen musicians.
Friday night, The Band Perry will headline the performances.
“They are just climbing the charts at a record pace and we are very excited,” Keyt said. “They’ve got their first album coming out in mid-October, and that’s really awesome they would be at our fair.”
Saturday’s headliner will be Jason Michael Carroll, and The Kentucky HeadHunters will lead Sunday.
On the ground, a number of animals and vehicles will provide entertainment. The Hall’s Bear Mountain trained bears, Elephant Adventures and Tiger Encounters, a firefighter training show, a truck and tractor pull, bullriding and more will thrill the crowds.
In addition to the main acts, visitors will have the chance to twirl on the midway rides, compete in games and consume plenty of fair food.
Guests at the fair also can view the fruits and vegetables, livestock, arts and crafts, rabbits, poultry and other items entered into the heritage and agriculture competitions. “Heritage foods” like pickles, jams and desserts also will be on site.
“We’ll have all the normal competitions we bring every year,” Keyt said.
On Friday through Sunday, the fair costs $5 for adults and children age 4 and up; children 3 and under enter for free.
Thursday is “car load night,” when up to 12 passengers legally seated in a vehicle will pay a $30 flat rate fee for admission and all-you-can-ride wristbands. No passengers in truck beds will be allowed. Single-entry admission will be $10 for guests 4 and older on Thursday only.
“Thursday is the night to come with a carload of people,” Keyt said. “That’s not the night to come by yourself just to see what’s going on.”
On Friday only, senior citizens who enter between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. will pay only $1 for the enter day. Also on Friday, a special rate for school and daycare groups will be offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“We invite everyone to come out and visit and get a little taste of our country fair,” Keyt said. “We’ve got some magic going on.”
For more information, visit www.thefairiscoming.com.
Isle of Wight County fair calendar of events
Wednesday, Sept. 15
2 p.m. Heritage Food Competition
5 p.m. Gates Open for Seafood Fest ticket holders and Mid Way guests only – (no discounts)
5:30 p.m. Seafood Fest (Tickets purchased in advance)
6 p.m. Island Boy, Seafood is served 6-8p.m.
9 p.m. Seafood Fest closes/Mid Way is open until 10p.m.
10 p.m. Fair Closes
Thursday, Sept. 16
All Day Events: Heritage Arts & Crafts Competition (prior to Fair Opening)
5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Mid Way, Monster Truck Rides, Petting Zoo, Pony Rides
5 p.m. Fair Officially Opens, Car Load Night – $30 per vehicle includes admission in the Fair and wristbands for “all you can ride” Mid Way rides for up to 12 persons (legally seated) Monster Truck Rides Begin
5 p.m. The Hall’s Bear Mountain Wildlife Show
6 p.m. Fire Fighter Training Show, Elephant Adventure
6:15p.m. (Main Stage) Celeste Kellogg
7 p.m. Fire Fighter Training Show
7:30 p.m. The Hall’s Bear Mountain Wildlife Show
8 p.m. (Main Stage) CoastLand Band with Bria Kelly, Fire Fighter Training Show, Elephant Adventure
8:30 p.m. Tiger Encounter
9 p.m. The Hall’s Bear Mountain Wildlife Show
10 p.m. Fair Closes, Monster Truck Rides End
Friday, Sept. 17
All Day Events: Mid Way, Monster Truck Rides, Petting Zoo
11 a.m. Fair Opens, Senior Citizen Special Admission Rates ($1) until 2p.m., Monster Truck Ride
11:30 a.m. Fire Fighter Training Show
Noon The Hall’s Bear Mountain Wildlife Show
12:45 p.m. Elephant Adventure
1:30 p.m. Tiger Encounter
4 p.m. Rooster Calling Contest
5 p.m. Shenandoah Valley Tractor Puller’s Association Mini Tractor Pull, Karaoke (5p.m.-7p.m.)
5:30 p.m. The Hall’s Bear Mountain Wildlife Show, 4H Cured Ham Contest,
6 p.m. Elephant Adventure, (Field & Garden Tent) WT Master Gardeners Plant Drawing
6:30p.m. Fire Fighter Training Show, (Family Stage) Kareoke 6:30p.m. – 9p.m.
7 p.m. (Main Stage) Honkytonk Highway, Bull Riding Competition (Family Stage) Kareoke
(Field & Garden Tent)Western Tidewater Master Gardener – Disaster Preparedness for your Garden (Lisa Meunier)
7:30p.m. Fire Fighter Training Show
8 p.m. (Field & Garden Tent) WT Master Gardeners – Water wise gardening with Carol Baugher
8:15p.m. The Hall’s Bear Mountain Wildlife Show
9 p.m. Fireworks
9:10p.m. (Main Stage) The Band Perry
11 p.m. Fair Closes, Monster Truck Rides End
Saturday, Sept. 18
All Day Events: Helicopter Rides, Mid Way, Monster Truck Rides, Petting Zoo, Pony Rides
9:30 a.m. Horseshoe Tournament Begins
10 a.m. Fair Opens, 4H Pygmy Goat Sow
11 a.m. 4H Market La.m.b Show, Lawn Mower Race Preliminary Run
11:30 a.m. Antique Tractor Pull, Fire Fighter Training Show
Noon Corn Hole Tournament (Singles) Family Stage – Cheering 12p.m. – 1:30p.m.
12:30 p.m. Horse & Mule Competition,
1 p.m. The Hall’s Bear Mountain Wildlife Show, Lawn Mower Race
1:30 p.m. Family Stage – Dance group demonstrations from 1:30p.m. – 5p.m.
2 p.m. Tiger Encounter, 4H Goat Show, (Field & Garden Tent)WT Master Gardener – Herbs with Nancy Franklin
2:30 p.m. Elephant Adventure, Corn Hole Tournament (Doubles)
3 p.m. Truck & Tractor Pull
3:30 p.m. Fire Fighter Training Show
4 p.m. The Hall’s Bear Mountain Wildlife Show, Rooster Crowing Contest, (Field & Garden Tent) WT Master Gardener – Yard Art with Penny Craun
4:30 p.m. Livestock Auction
5 p.m. (Main Stage) Silver Street, (Family Stage) Cutest Baby, Hoola Hoop & Biggest Bubble Contest. Register in person at the Family Stage.
6 p.m. Fire Fighter Training Show, (Family Stage) Red Neck Hour Contest: Best mustache, longest beard, longest hair, turkey calling, seed spitting, pig squealing fun. Register in person at the Family Stage an hour before the event. (Field & Garden Tent) WT Master Gardeners – Plant Drawing
6:30 p.m. Elephant Adventure
7 p.m. (Main Stage) Southern Heartland, Bull Riding Competition, (Field & Garden Tent) Master Gardener – Disaster preparedness for your garden – Lisa Meunier
7:30 p.m. The Hall’s Bear Mountain Wildlife Show
8 p.m. (Field and Garden Tent)WT Master Gardeners – Water wise gardening with Carol Baugher
8:15 p.m. Tiger Encounter
9 p.m. (Main Stage) Jason Michael Carroll
11 p.m. Fair Closes, Monster Truck Rides End
Sunday, Sept. 19
All Day Events: Helicopter Rides, Mid Way, Monster Truck Rides, Petting Zoo, Pony Rides
9 a.m. 4H Arrival and Check-in of Goats
10 a.m. ATV Challenge Qualifying
Noon Fair Opens
12:30 p.m. ATV Challenge Finals Begin, Firefighter Training Show
1 p.m. The Hall’s Bear Mountain Wildlife Show, Dairy Goat Show
1:30 p.m. Elephant Adventure
2 p.m. Tiger Encounter, Rooster Crowing Contest
2:25 p.m. American Legion Benefit Motorcycle Ride arrives at Fairground
2:30 p.m. (Main Stage) Past Due, The Hall’s Bear Mountain Wildlife Show
3 p.m. Bull Riding Competition Finals, (Family Stage) Isle of Wight’s Got Talent 3-5 p.m.
3:30 p.m. Fire Fighter Training Show
4 p.m. Elephant Show
4:30 p.m. (Main Stage) The Kentucky Headhunters
5 p.m. Fire Fighter Training Show
5:30 p.m. The Hall’s Bear Mountain Wildlife Show
7 p.m. Fair Closes