Fair Association excited to bring fair back

After a forced hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Saline County Fair Association is excited to bring back the Saline County Fair for 2021.

This year’s fair is scheduled for Sept. 7 through 11 with the theme Red, White and Blue This Fair is For Ewe. Association President Molly Wright said the patriotic theme was originally planned for 2020, but they decided to use it for this year. Because Sept. 11 would have fallen on the Friday of last year and the Association wanted to honor law enforcement, first responders and military.

“The people who when the going gets tough, they are the people who are going to get going,” Wright said.

Wright added the association always does its best to honor them.

This year, the association has been hesitant to make plans because the members are nervous the Arkansas Department of Health might shut down events again because of the surging number of COVID-19 cases. They are planning hoping the fair will happen.

This year, the association plans to start accepting entries for the nonliving and nonfood competition categories Sept. 2. Those include a wide variety of arts and crafts from photos and paintings to furniture and birdhouses.

Animals for competition can begin moving in Sept. 6, but must be in place no later than 6 p.m. Sept. 7.

Food entries will be accepted on Sept. 8 to ensure they do not spoil before they can be judged.

The annual Saline County Fair Pageant is scheduled for Sept. 4 at the Saline County Fairgrounds. Tara Shelton is the pageant director. Wright said holding at the fairgrounds allows for more space. This year they plan to offer talent. More information about the pageant will be available on the fair Facebook page and website.

The official festivities will kick off with the Saline County Fair Parade at 6 p.m. Sept. 7 in Benton. The parade is set to follow its traditional route starting at C.W. Lewis Stadium.

“The Saline County Parade is one of the longest running traditions in Saline County,” Wright said, adding she remembers taking part in it when she was younger. “I encourage

people to participate.”

The fair opens at 6 p.m.

Sept. 7. Evans United will run the carnival and rides.

“They run a really good carnival,” Wright said.

The fair will have its traditional rides, games and food vendors. The Extension Homemakers are schedule to offer the Extension Homemakers Kitchen again this year.

Wright said they plan to offer wristband nights, but they are still working on which nights those will be.

Judging for large animals, such as cattle, swine, goats and sheep, will be Sept. 8. Judging for poultry will be Sept. 9 in the afternoon and judging for rabbits will be Sept. 9 in the evening.

The premium sale and auction will be at 10 a.m. Sept. 11, following the Saline County Poultry Chain Auction at 9 a.m.

Bull riding is planned for Sept. 9. The Rodeo will be Sept. 10 and 11. Sophie Duch will be the rodeo trick rider and Rob Gann will be the rodeo clown.

The Fair Association will be in charge of rodeo concessions.

Sept. 9, children age 8 and under can take part in the Peewee Livestock Show. They will be able to show the 4-H members animals and get a ribbon.

Senior citizens day will be during the day Sept. 9. School kids day and special needs day will both be Sept. 10.

Wright is excited to bring the fair back and she hopes the community comes out and takes part.