You know what they say around this time of year.
“Everybody loves a fair.”
And the Cumberland County Fair is scheduled to open a 10-day run with a ribbon cutting at 4:45 p.m. Friday at the Crown Complex to the theme of “The Agricultural Express.” Fair folks hope you will jump aboard.
“The Cumberland County Fair has always been about celebrating our community and our agricultural roots,” Tony Williams, the fair manager, said in a news release. “This year’s Agricultural Express theme allows us to highlight the importance of agriculture while creating an exciting experience for families.”
You’ll know the fair is here.
All you have to do is look along U.S. 301 Business 301 in the night, and you’ll see the bright neon lights of the amusement rides from Big Rock Amusements. There will be 26 different selections this year, according to fair organizers, including the Giant Wheel, the Grand Carousel, the Zipper, the Air Flyer, Zero Gravity, YoYo, the Beast and the Sizzler. Ride credits start at 25 cents, and most rides require between 10 and 25 credits, according to the fair. An unlimited rides wristband is $32.
Strolling the midway always is fun, with carney after carney trying to lure you to their booths to win a teddy bear or whatever the prize.
“Come on, pal, win a prize,” they like to tempt you, “for that pretty lady on your arm.”
You can walk on by, but there will be another carney just down the way.
If you are looking for the lion and tiger trainers, you’ll be out of luck.
“Sadly, we won’t have lions and tigers,” Gary Rogers, marketing director for the Crown Complex, said Monday. “However, we will have a petting zoo and livestock competitions.”
And you certainly will want to browse around the Expo Center, where fairgoers can view some of our community residents’ finest culinary skills, including traditional cakes, pies, jellies, and jams, along with displays of arts, crafts and photography.
“These exhibits highlight the talent we have right here in Cumberland County,” Lisa Childers, the county agricultural extension agent, said Tuesday. “We will also be hosting livestock shows throughout the fair. Our youth exhibitors spend months preparing for these shows, and it’s one of the most exciting parts of the fair.”
The Junior Laying Hen Show is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday; the Market Lamb Show at 2 p.m. and the Meat Goat Show at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday the “Little Ewe” Show at 5 p.m. on Monday the hog, feeder calves, and steer shows at 5:30 p.m. on September 9; and the Beef Heifers Show at 7 p.m. on September 11.
“This year’s feature exhibit centers on a train theme and will showcase crops grown across Cumberland County,” Childers said. “Visitors will get a firsthand look at the crops our farmers grow every day to support our local economy and food supply. We invite all residents and visitors to join us in supporting our youth, honoring our local producers and celebrating the agricultural traditions of Cumberland County.”
Elsewhere on the Midway
There will be other entertainment that may strike your fancy, including the Ember Fire Arts and the Bob Bohm Family. The Ember Fire Arts is a high-energy performance featuring fire dancing, daring tricks, and visual effects that light up the night. The Bohm Family features magic, comedy, skits, games, and music.
On the subject of musical entertainment, there will be plenty of it throughout the fair’s run, according to Greg Adair, the gift drummer with Fayetteville’s Rivermist, who has been lining up bands for the fair for the past 12 years.
Reflections II performs at 7 p.m. on Friday; Live Wire, which is 70s and 80s pop rock, at 2 p.m. followed by The Heaterz performing blues at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday; various gospel music acts beginning at 2 p.m. on Sunday; Autumn Groove bringing 70s and 80s pop and rhythm and blues at 7 p.m. on Monday; Fear State performing rock at 7 p.m. on September 11; the Scroggins Band performing rock and pop at 2 p.m. followed by Third Crush performing southern rock and country at 6:30 p.m. on September 12.
And what’s a county fair without those vendors hawking cotton candy, candied apples, burgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, sausage dogs with the fried onions and green peppers, pizza, funnel cakes, fried Oreos, and don’t forget those deep-fried turkey legs. You can smell the food fare all along the midway.
If you are looking for something broiled, be assured, you’ll be out of luck. Remember, it’s the county fair.
Epilogue
The fair opens daily at 5 p.m., and at 1 p.m. on weekends and Labor Day. General admission is $11 for ages 13 and up. It’s $6 for ages 3-12.
There is some special admission pricing:
- Healthcare employees are admitted free on Friday.
- Faith and Family Day is Sunday, where those 13 and older will be admitted for $6 if you bring your church bulletin.
- Sensory Friendly Time is set from 1–3 p.m. on Monday, with limited rides sans music and lights. Admission is $11, for adults and children three years of age and older.
- A Day of Giving is scheduled for Tuesday, and if you bring six non-perishable food items there is no admission charge.
- Senior Day is September 10, and if you are 65 and older there is no admission fee. For all others, admission is $3.
- Military (active duty and retirees) & First Responder Night is scheduled for September 11, and with proper identification, there’s no charge.
- Hispanic Heritage Day is September 13, where ages 3-12 are admitted at a $5 discount.
“The Agricultural Express” is almost here, and boarding is about to begin.
“We invite everyone to join us,” Williams said, “as we take a journey through the traditions, education, entertainment and memories that make the fair special year after year.”
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
