Fair set to start tonight
Hurricane Irma’s potential impact pushes organizers to move the fair’s opening back a day.
While Labor Day marks the end of Summer in other parts of the country, the Polk County fair is currently serving as the end of the hottest season for Rockmart, Cedartown, and Aragon citizens who are finally looking forward to autumn and the chilly delights that come with the season.
That was, until Hurricane Irma went and changed course and tim- ing, and forced the fair organizers to reconsider their opening date.
So instead of opening on Tuesday night as planned, the fair instead opens this evening and will continue through Saturday at the Polk County Fairgrounds, located off Highway 278 next to Cedartown Bypass.
Standard gate admission for this year’s event is $5 for adults and $3 for children, and children ages five and under get in free. Those looking to ride to their heart’s content can purchase arm bands for $18 on Wednesday and Thursday before the price increases to $20 on Friday and Saturday. Fair parking is always free.
The Polk County fair offers numerous opportunities for discounts and free membership to the different demographics of attendees. All discounts and free admission apply only to standard gate admission- not armbands!
Wednesday’s community night offers a discount to anyone who brings their church bulletin. Seniors should consider stopping by on Thursday where they can get free admission through the front gate for Senior Night. Polk’s first responders (firemen, EMS, law enforcement) will be offered a discounted admission on Friday for First Responders night. Polk’s veterans will be honored on Saturday, the fair’s last night, with a discounted admission for Veteran’s Night.
With a new company supplying the rides, games, and concessions, patrons can expect “all the old favorites, but with some exciting new additions this year,” said Cedartown Exchange Club member and marketing volunteer Sam Branch. The fair is typically home to giant swings, a Ferris Wheel, High Striker, bumper cars, and more. Alongside rides catered to thrill seekers, numerous attractions will be available for children.
Alongside the rides and games, the fair is hosting a slew of human entertainment in the form of musicians. Those who were scheduled for Tuesday night’s entertainment will get an opportunity to reschedule during the rest of the week.
A fair isn’t a fair without judging of some sort and the Polk County fair is looking to rate everything from vegetables and flowers to livestock. Applica- tions for livestock were due August 31st, and Polk County Extension Coordinator Ricky Ensley will be acting as livestock judge. The Beef Cattle show will be Thursday, Sept. 14, at 6 p.m.; The Market Lamb show will be Saturday, Sept. 16 at 6 p.m.
The fair is the primary fundraiser for the Cedartown Exchange Club that has used the event to return over $10,000 into the Polk County community each year since 1961. The Exchange Club has 4 main goals in the forms of preventing child abuse, youth programs, community service, and Americanism. Money earned from fundraisers goes to local seniors as scholarships and sponsorships for organizations such as Our House Battered Women Shelter, Boy Scouts, Parkinson’s Walk, Cedartown Performing Arts Commission children’s program, Law Officer of the Year, and many more. More information about the fair and the club can be found at https:// www.facebook.com/Exchange-Club-ofCedartown-1595905767378165/ or https:// www.cedartownexchangeclub.com/.