A new fair with lots of tradition

Sevier County Fair Starts Sept. 4

chantalle@theheraldnewspapers.com

It’s a new exciting fair with an emphasis on old traditional values.
This is how volunteers and fair staff describe the upcoming 2006 Sevier County Fair. With the fair less than a week away, they are working to add the finishing touches to a brand new event that will highlight many traditions.
A new midway by Jules and Beck Combined Shows and Friday night fireworks by Pyro Shows, the same company that Boomsday in Knoxville, are two exciting changes fair goers can expect. The new midway will have more rides for younger children with benches close by for parents to relax while the kids have fun. Fair workers will have a clean image with uniforms and name tags.
Charlie Daniels, on September 6, and Christian Band FFH, on September 9, will be performing in a new concert area with professional staging and lighting.
According to Allen Newton, Director of the Economic Development Council, approximately 200 tickets were sold, but they are not worried. Concert planners expect the majority of the 1500 concert tickets to be purchased during the last two weeks before the event.
“Fairgoers will see a number of great changes to the fair this year,” says Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters. “Charlie Daniels is the icing on the cake and we’re excited to have him return to our area to perform.”
“The fair has a brand new midway and all of the agricultural exhibits that people expect to see. This is the heartbeat of the fair,” says Dennis Snyder, Sevier County Fair Promoter. “We want to get more people involved in the exhibits and competitions. This is what the fair is all about.”
Snyder recalls last year when the cattle tent didn’t have any exhibits. He says the agricultural events are a fair tradition. The fair staff is determined to revive these events this year. The electrical wiring has been redone throughout the barn. A 40 square foot livestock tent will be added to give them more room.
“I have been in the barn when it was 90 degrees outside and it’s much cooler inside now with the fans on. The whole fairground has been cleaned up and repainted,” says Snyder.
Some of the agricultural exhibits and competitions include cattle, sheep, goats, dogs, farm crops, 4-H entries, honey, and flowers. Domestic competitions will include home canning, sewing, needlework, crafts, weaving, bake foods, candy, and Christmas decorations. Art competitions will include photography, wood carving, leather goods, watercolors, acrylics, pencil drawings, and more. The competitions will take place in all age categories.
A Premium List guide book is available for people to pick up which lists the competitions for all of the categories.
“The exhibits and shows are the heartbeat of the fair,” says Waters. “We’d love to have more people compete.”
Fair food is always the highlight of the event. This year, the staff has worked towards being able to provide great food at an affordable cost. Roasting ears, Buddy’s Bar B-Q sandwiches, Chick-Fil-A sandwiches, and the expected fair foods like popcorn and candy apples will be available. The Economic Development council has overseen the food concessions this year. Sticking with tradition, they have also provided Sevierville First Methodist Church and the Ruritan Club with booths so they may raise money by selling food.
This year the fair will run September 4-10. Admission will be $3 for adults and children will get in free.