Check out a full page’s worth of coverage on the Polk County Fair.
Polk County’s Exchange Club members took a big sigh of relief last week when all the local area got was a downpour of rain and windy conditions when stormy weather went over and left with the remnants of Hurricane Irma.
Because that meant that despite a late opening for the 43rd annual Polk County Fair, the annual fundraiser helping the organization give back to the community annually could still go on with the only hitch being a delayed opening.
Otherwise, it was just about like any other year at the fair: pleasant weather, slightly muddy ground and entertainment and food a plenty for all.
Colby Medlock was one fairgoer who shared some insight on what the fair meant to him when he went on opening night. “The main reason I’m here is because I know someone in the band Unchained, but what’s not to love?” he said. “Bright lights, food, and rides. It’s for a good cause too.”
His thoughts were echoed by others through the week.
Matthew Wilson was one first-time attendee mentioned that said he was “impressed the fair is as big as it is.”
Wilson added he was also looking forward to “coming here as a group with my friends and girlfriend.”
It was folks like these who made up the hundreds of people who come through the turn styles at the front gate each year, looking for a bit of fun and an escape from daily life while also celebrating what Polk County has to offer each year.
Brandon Havilic, who brought his 21-month-old daughter McKenzie to the fair, said what many others felt this week: they couldn’t have asked for a better week. “We got great weather at least,” he said. He said his one favorite thing was “all the people who come out here.”
Here’s some highlights from this year’s Polk County Fair through it’s shortened schedule from opening night on Wednesday, Sept. 13 through closing night on Saturday, Sept. 16.
Organizations and displays
Fairgoers each year enter the grounds via the line of display booths that provide Polk County a glimpse of all the different things happening within its borders.
Local community members, businesses, churches, and more set up shop where they offer products, opinions, or information. Hoping to raise enough money to attend the Winter Special Olympics, the Polk Special Olympics group set up shop to sell $2 raffle tickets for a tailgate. The group recently competed in a bowling competition with funds raised by selling produce. Competing athletes help run the shop by attending to customers and maintaining supplies. The group is potentially planning to re-open the produce stand-424 N Main St., Cedartown- in their quest to visit the winter Olympics.
They weren’t the only ones fundraising during the fair. Cedartown’s Optimist Club were selling $1 raffle tickets during the week as well for their Turkey raffle held each year before Thanksgiving. Members will continue to have tickets on sale through the rest of the fall up until the Nov. 16 drawing date, when 15 turkeys will be given out to lucky ticket holders.
Along with local organizations spreading their message at the front booths, there’s also a variety of displays.
Past ribbon winners for art, produce, and plants were displayed prominently, with everything celebrated from the size of gourds to student artwork given blue ribbons for the quality work.
One booth that was exclusive to the fair’s opening night last Wednesday was Gary Shindelbower’s pottery. The experienced artist displayed his method of creating various crafts out of pottery, as well as sold various glazed creations.
Stationed in Aragon, Shindelbower has his own pottery studio. The pottery expert also fills in for Paul Craighead at the RCAC art classes.
To find out more contact Shindelbower at gentlepotter@gmail.com or www. facebook.com/garysclay.
Another interesting booth was Carolyn Peek’s Eagle Scout display. Robert Peek, son of Carolyn, is the most recent Eagle Scout.
The young man worked to refurbish and paint the outside of a community home for a work project that spanned several months.
Peek shared photos of her son’s venture as well as details about the scouts.
Bands and tidbits
Amanda Gore and the Red, White, and Bluegrass band primarily plays bluegrass, gospel, and country music with a focus on a southern sound. The band is based in West Georgia where they frequent bluegrass festivals and other Southern-themed events.
Little Known Letter is an alternative rock band with a self described style of “mixing modern pop rock with classic rock and soulful riffs,” according to vocalist Clay Shiflett. LKL formed when Shiflett and Todd Burkhalter combined their styles of loud, aggressive drums and soft piano. The band now tours the Northwest Georgia area and has worked with various other established bands.
Unchained is self described as a mix of praise, worship and south gospel with members including Michael Bradford, Vickie Deems, Billie Joe Bradford, Camaron Hudgins, Tony Boatner, Synard Bradford, and Charlene Boatner.
Scarlet Wool is also a religious praise band that won the 2013 Atlanta Fest talent search. Band members include Hannah Fleenor, Matthew Fleenor, and Tabitha Fleenor. Both bands are frequenters of Polk events and other Northwest Georgia locations.
These and many more bands took part in the Polk County Fair this year, providing nightly entertainment along with the bright lights and variety of fair delicacies available each year.
An interesting fact according to one fair employee whose name we didn’t catch: the fair serves up thousands of funnel cakes per year. They were up to 2,000 as of Saturday night.
What the fair gives back
The 43rd annual Polk County Fair was put on by the Cedartown Exchange Club, who annually hosts the event at the fairgrounds, does so as one of their primary fundraisers annually.
Fair president Richard Long said the Exchange Club couldn’t have asked for a better week for the fair, despite a delayed opening due to Hurricane Irma.
“We were fortunate enough we only lost one night,” he said.
Long said the annual event allows the club to raise a lot of money annually through entry fees into the fair, with $10,000 going back to the community via scholarships and donations to programs, and through initiatives like the Police Officer of the Year and Firefighter of the Year programs.