A favorite, fall fun week, the 69th annual Patrick County Agricultural Fair was back again this year, bigger and better than ever. Kids of all ages experienced a wonderful, excitement-filled week of rides, exhibits, animals large and small, fair food, games, music, and so much more.
Despite the rained-out first night, the fairgrounds were packed the rest of the week with estimates of attendance at more than 8,000. Visitors came not only from Patrick County but also from as far away as West Virginia, Richmond and Charlotte. The Demolition Derby featured more than 30 cars with an estimated 1,800-2,000 in attendance, one of the best years ever. The newest event, the Saturday night dance, was well attended and attracted skilled dancers of all ages.
Stuart Rotarians and volunteers from the community work many hours each year to make the fair a success. This year there were over 300 shifts that needed to be filled with many of those spots filled by community volunteers. The Patrick County Cougars baseball team parked cars every night. Many Patrick County folks filled spots to process all the agricultural exhibits. Volunteers from the local fire and rescue and sheriff’s departments were on hand each night.
Besides providing a fun-filled, wholesome week of entertainment, the fair plows its income back into Patrick County. Each year, those profits provide thousands of dollars in scholarships to graduating PCHS seniors and help fund other Rotary service projects. Currently, a series of walking trails is being developed at Rotary Field. The fair profits also fund expansion and renovation of ballfields, trails and buildings which are then available to Patrick Countians of all ages all year round. At the volunteer appreciation dinner after the fair, the first of this year’s donations were presented to local agencies to thank them for their service, not just at the fair but all year long.
Fair Treasurer Julia Hennessey presented donations to Kenny Brady, representing the various Patrick County Fire and Rescue teams; Tal Swails, for the PC Cougar baseball program; and Rob Coleman, Patrick County Sheriff’s Department, for the Shop with a Cop Program.
The Patrick County Fair and The Rotary Club of Stuart wish to thank all the people from Patrick County who supported the fair, especially our volunteers. See you next year.
(Drady is Rotary Club Secretary)
Julia Hennessey, the fair treasurer, presented checks to (1) Rob Coleman, Sheriff’s Department; (2) Kenny Brady, Fire and Rescue and (3) Tal Swails, Patrick County Cougars.
