Lenoir County Agricultural Fair to run through Saturday
Photo by William ‘Bud’ Hardy / Neuse News
By Junious Smith III
The 64th Lenoir County Agricultural Fair has officially commenced.
Tuesday was the start of the festivities, and the fair will run until Saturday. The gate opens at 5 p.m. each day except Saturday, when patrons can come in at noon. Admission is $6 on the weekdays and $7 Saturday, with children 4 and under free all week.
There are special deals, including Thursday’s Dollar Day, where admission is a $1 and rides are $1 with a $10 minimum. Senior citizens 62 and older, along with vocational rehab residents and one chaperone are admitted free between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Unlimited wristbands are $25 throughout the week and there will be numerous shows as well. Daily events include helicopter rides and the 3 Ring Super Circus, with the demolition derby, Power Wheels derby for kids and Bojangles Motocross set for Saturday.
Brayden Alphin, a freshman at North Lenoir, said he enjoyed his time at the fair.
“It’s a great place to hang out with your friends, the food’s good and the rides are good,” Alphin said.
Another Hawks freshman, Courtney Humphrey, came to Tuesday’s fair for the 35th Annual Cheerleading competition, but it was postponed to Thursday. Still, Humphrey said she had a great time.
“Even though the competition didn’t happen, I had a great time just being with my friends,” Humphrey said.
There are several other new events this year for the people.
“We have a Big Game Brewery beer garden for the first time, a local brewery here in town,” Volunteer Tonya Adams said. “We’ve got a lot of antiques, tobacco history and Dreamland Amusements is on the midway. We’ve also got a cast iron cookoff Wednesday, which is another new event.
“Overall, the fair is about celebrating agriculture and harvest — it’s great to have the rides and other festivities, but sometimes it can get lost in translation about the importance of farming.”
Lenoir County Fair Association president Waylon Adams said it’s more than rides to be highlighted.
“We also have an educational agricultural barn with people from Lenoir, Greene and Jones County providing information,” Adams said. “We’ve got a small group of volunteers who do their part to educate the young people about the importance of agriculture — it’s a dying trade and if the youth doesn’t develop an interest, it could go away so we want to fulfill an obligation.”
Tonya Adams said she hopes the masses come out to support.
“All of the proceeds from this event goes right into the community,” she said. “I know we don’t have the largest fair, but it’s always best to support your local one.”
The Cast Iron Cooking Contest is divided into three categories: meat, sides, and sweet and savory. First place will receive $75, second place $50, third place $25 an the “Best of Show” recipient gets $100
For more information, go to lenoircountyfair.org.
