Monday at fairgrounds

By JAINE TREADWELL

Features Editor

The County Fair will open its midway Monday night at the Fairgrounds on Highway 231 south of Troy and renew a 47-year tradition of family entertainment in Pike County.

The fair is sponsored by the Troy Shrine Club with the proceeds supporting the club’s general fund and the Shrine Temple.

Ed Moore, fair manager, said the fair brings a week of family fun to Pike County and offers area residents the opportunity to compete for prize money in a variety of categories from food preservation to photography.

"We offer several thousand dollars in prize money for individuals and clubs and organizations," Moore said. "We also have educational and informational exhibits and a lot of good food. Put it all together with the midway and the Pike County Fair is an exciting event."

Moore said, on an average, the fair generates about $350,000 for Pike County.

"Not many people realize the economic impact of the fair but it’s big," Moore said.

The fair will get underway Monday evening with senior citizen night and all seniors over the age of 65 will be admitted free. Southern gospel singing featuring several local groups will be the featured entertainment and will begin at 7 p.m.

Tuesday night is a Salute to Troy State University and the TSU Jazz Band will perform.

Wednesday is Students Day and will kick off around 9 a.m. with Ronald McDonald’s Magic Show for preschool children. About 600 children from across the county will attend. The midway will open at 3 p.m. and featured entertainment for the night will be the Dixie Darlings Cloggers and the SouthSide Shufflers Line Dance Team.

Thursday is Agriculture Appreciation Night and featured entertainment will be the Shrine Brass Band at 6:30 and the Nashville Showcase Bandat 7:30.

Industry Appreciation Night is set for Friday and singing sensation Tori Bayley will be featured on the fairground stage at 8 p.m. along with the SouthSide Shufflers.

Saturday is Masonic and Shrine Day featuring Cow Pen Creek country band from Nashville.at 8 p.m. All Master Masons and OES with current dues cards will be admitted free. The midway will open at 3 p.m. to accommodate the last-day crowd.

"We are expecting a big turnout for this year’s Pike County Fair," Moore said. "There will be at least two major new and exciting rides and two new kiddie rides. The fair is a great opportunity for affordable family fun and we invite everyone to join us for a week of fun at the county fair."

Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for ages 6 – 11. Children under six are admitted free.