Chattanooga Times Free Press - ChattanoogaNow
County fairs in Bledsoe, Grundy, Rhea
One county fair is getting started, while two others wind down this weekend in Southeast Tennessee. Here’s a brief look at what to expect.
Bledsoe County
Most of the Bledsoe County Agricultural Fair events will start next week, but there are a couple of livestock shows Saturday, Aug. 13, at the fairgrounds, located on Highway 127 at South Main Street in Pikeville. At 3 p.m. Saturday, the Fairest of the Fair will be determined in ceremonies at Bledsoe County High School.
Exhibits will be accepted for blue-ribbon consideration 2-5 p. m. Sunday, Aug. 14, and 3-6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15. Adult, youth and children entries will be judged separately. Categories include gardening, sewing, canning and photography.
The carnival by Forever Young Amusements opens Tuesday, Aug. 16, and the Bledsoe County Junior Fair Board will have prize baskets for silent auction on view in the exhibit hall. Winners will be announced Saturday night, Aug. 20, during intermission of the main show in the center ring.
The Junior Fair Board also is sponsoring sack races, stick horse contests, battery- powered ATV motorcycle races, water balloon toss, remote-controlled car races and a toilet paper toss during the week.
Other highlights include the Create a Cowbell competition, with entries to be turned in 3-6 p.m. Monday. There’ s a Hula Hoop contest Tuesday. Wednesday, Aug. 17, is open house day for senior citizens from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A petting zoo and tours of the exhibit hall will be offered. Thursday, Aug. 18, is open house day for Bledsoe County Nursing Home and Brookview at 11:30 a.m.
Thursday evening features the Lil’ Wrangler Junior Rodeo at 6 p.m. Events include Stick Horse and Mutton Bustin for ages 7 and younger; Bull Riding and Pole Bending for ages 12 and younger and ages 13-18. A parent must be on-site to sign a waiver for participants to compete.
Call 931-210- 0102 for more information. All times are Central.
LIVESTOCK SCHEDULE
› Saturday, Aug. 13: Open poultry show, 10 a. m., followed by rabbit show.
› Tuesday, Aug. 16: Bledsoe County only junior livestock show and open rabbit show, 6:30 p.m.
› Thursday, Aug. 18: Open swine show, 6 p.m. ( entries accepted until 5:30 p.m.)
› Friday, Aug. 19: Open goat show and open sheep show, 6 p.m. ( entries accepted until 5:30 p.m.); livestock judging competition, 6 p. m.; second annual Parker Holland Memorial Fun Horse Show, 6:30 p.m. ($5 entry fee);
› Saturday, Aug. 20: Open beef cattle show, 10 a.m. (entries accepted until 9:30 a.m.)
More information can be found on the fair’s Facebook page.
Grundy County
Outlaw gospel music artist Cody McCarver will close out the 83rd edition of the Grundy County Fair with a show Saturday, Aug. 13. Fairgrounds are at 615 Volunteer Park in Gruetli-Laager.
This year’s theme is “A New Beginning to an Old Tradition.” Prime Time Amusements is providing the midway. Also scheduled to perform are Last Rebel at 10 p. m. Friday, Aug. 12, and Monty Hill at 6 p.m. Saturday before McCarver’s show at 10 p. m. ( all times are Central). For more informa- tion, visit www. grundycountytnfair.com.
Rhea County
The Rhea County Fair is underway at the Ag Center on Harold Robbins Lane at Highway 27 and Eagle Lane in Evensville. “Go Hog Wild” is this year’s theme.
Here’s how the rest of the schedule shapes up.
› Today, Aug. 11: Hog show, 5 p. m.; Our Fair Lady contest, 6 p.m.; Best Dressed Pig contest, 6:30 p.m.; hog sale, 7 p.m.
› Friday, Aug. 12: Register for third annual Smokin’ Up the Holler Backyard BBQ Competition, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; 4-H Clover Bowl on Main Stage, 5 p.m.; county sheep and goat show in the barn, 5:30 p.m.; milking contest and greased pig contest, 6:30 p.m.; tractor parade in arena, 7:45 p.m.; rodeo in arena, 8 p.m.
› Saturday, Aug. 13: Third annual 5K, 6 a. m.; car show, 9 a. m.- noon, with awards at 2 p. m. in Rhea Middle School parking lot; Lanny Mauldin Chili Cook-off, 9 a.m., with j udging at noon; fourth annual celebrity horseshoe tournament, 10 a.m.; Fun Speed Show by Saddle Club in arena, 10 a.m.; mini tractor pull, 11 a.m.; open cattle show, followed by county cattle show in the barn, 12: 30 p.m.; Hawg Show (motorcycles), 2- 6 p. m.; mini mud bog, 2: 30 p. m.; pet show/dog show on main stage, 3 p. m.; Smokin’ Up the Holler awards on main stage, 4:45 p.m.; patty drop, 6 p. m.; Rhea Springs Revival, 6-7: 30 p.m.; rodeo, 8 p.m.