The 72nd annual Patrick County Agricultural Fair will be held Tuesday, Sept. 15, through Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Rotary Club Fairgrounds in Stuart.
The event is sponsored by Patrick County Tourism, the Rotary Club of Stuart, Clark Gas & Oil, ValleyStar Credit Union, and Autos by Nelson.
In addition to animals, booths and exhibits, Keith Gunter, Rotary Club of Stuart member and fair chairman, said there will be nine rides set up at the fair.
“It’s more rides than last year, and it’s a really good mix between adult and children’s rides,” he said.
Gunter said there will also be multiple food options available, including five fair food vendors, the Patrick County High School Band, the Rotary Club of Stuart, and others selling a variety of goods, including ice cream, fried fish, and coffee.
In the exhibition hall, more than 100 exhibitors will be set up to promote their organizations and talk to visitors.
Gunter said he was told by staff with Cole Shows Amusement Company, which provides the fair’s rides, that Patrick County is one of the few agricultural fairs left in Virginia with this level of exhibitor participation.
“Patrick County’s blessed in two ways that I can say — our exhibitors, and the agricultural exhibits that we have between the quilting, the canning. He (Cole staff) pretty much says we blow everybody away, even the big cities, on that one,” he said.
Gunter estimates that 10,000 to 12,000 people will enter the fairgrounds over the five-day event.
Live music will be performed nightly in the Hooker Building from 6 to 9 p.m.
On Tuesday, admission is free for those ages 6 to 18, with the Little Caesars Pizza Eating Contest starting at 7:30 p.m.
Horses will be among the exhibits in the animal barn, and there will be a horseshoeing demonstration.
Musical performers include Herbert & Tina Conner, Borrowed Earth, Trinity Church with Burgie Penn and Mike Hall.
On Wednesday, the Beef Cattle and Hogs Youth Livestock Competition will start at 6 p.m. at the animal barn. The exhibitors’ costume contest will follow.
Gary Collins, Doc & Bob Ashcraft, Barry Collins, The Comptons and The Country Boys will take the stage.
Thursday is senior night, with free admission for those 60 and older, active-duty military members, and veterans.
The animal barn will hold its Sheep and Goats Livestock Shows starting at 5 p.m. Sue Nester, Phillip Adams, Shelly Roberts, and the Joyful Noise will perform in the Hooker Building.
Friday’s entertainment includes Bruce Trent, JT Morrison and The Foothill Country Boys. Students will compete in the Poultry, Rabbits and Cavy Livestock Show starting at 6 p.m.
On Saturday, a hay toss contest will award prizes for the longest toss in youth through adult age groups.
Debbie Bennett, Snow Creek Old Time Band with Charles Bowman, and the Snow Creek Old Time Band & Old Dominion Cloggers will perform. The clogging and flatfooting competition will begin at 8:15 p.m.
The night will finish with a fireworks display sponsored by the Honey Pot on Main beginning at approximately 10 p.m.
Gates open nightly at 5:30 p.m., with rides starting at 6 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults 19 and older, $3 for those ages 6 to 18, and free for children 5 and younger.
Wristbands are $30 for unlimited rides, or individual ride tickets can be purchased for $1.25 each.
For more information, visit patrickcountyfair.com or the Patrick County Fair-Stuart, VA Rotary Club Facebook page.
