Staff Writer

The Pike County Fair is coming to town Oct. 8 – 13 and excitement is already building in anticipation of the fun it brings.

The county fair is sponsored annually by the Troy Shrine Club and each year the Shriners make a determined effort to make"this one better than the last one."

"And, this one will be," said Buck Sneed, first

vice president of the Troy Shrine Club. "We’ll have Kissel Rides and Shows on the midway and everyone who came to the fair last year knows what great rides and great shows Fred and Mary Kissel bring to town. We are looking forward to a great fair and a great crowd of folks every night."

The Pike County Fair will get it off to a good start at 6 p.m. Monday with a salute to senior citizens.

"We have an outstanding lineup of gospel groups and everyone who likes gospel music will want to be at the fair Monday night," said Shriner James Henderson. "We’ll have Resting Place, the Aimsworth Family, Homeward Bound Quartet and the Lighthouse String Ensemble. They’re all great and they are favorites among those who follow gospel music."

The fairgrounds will open at 6 p.m. Tuesday and the Shriners will salute Troy State University.

"The TSU Collegiate Singers will be on stage and we expect a big crowd of university students to be on

the midway as we salute their university and our hometown university," Henderson said.

Wednesday is Students’ Day and the fairgrounds will open at 4 p.m. on what is the biggest weekday at the fair.

"The Alcazar Shrine Brass Band will perform on Students. Day and it’s a real treat to hear them," Henderson said.

Something new is planned for Thursday night which is traditionally Agriculture Appreciation Night at the county fair.

"We will salute those who provide our food and fiber because we couldn’t do without them," Henderson said. "And, this year, we are going to host a countywide cheerleading competition. This should be an exciting event because of the championship caliber cheerleading squads we have in Pike County."

Friday, the gates will open at 5 p.m. to better accommodate the TGIF crowd of fair goers. Special entertainment is planned but will be announced at a later time.

"On Saturday, we invite all Master Masons and members of the Order of the Eastern Star to be our guests and we will admit them free," Henderson said. "We’ll open the gates at 3 p.m. and we won’t close the curtain on the 2001 Pike County Fair until the last bit of fun has been had."

Admission prices for the fair are $6 for adults, ages 12 and up, and $4 for children, ages 6 through 11. Children under age 5 are admitted free.

Arm bands that allow unlimited admission to the rides are $8.

"We hope you are making your plans now to be at the Pike County Fair," Sneed said. "It’s going to be a good one and we’re looking forward to seeing you there."