The 71st annual Patrick County Agricultural Fair will be held Tuesday, Sept. 9, through Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Rotary Club of Stuart.
The event is sponsored by Patrick County Tourism, Clark Gas & Oil, Autos By Nelson, the Rotary Club of Stuart, and ValleyStar Credit Union.
The animal barn will be open for viewing, and the exhibit hall will feature handcrafted clothing, woodworking, textiles, art, quilts, photography, agricultural products, and booths each night. Live music will be performed nightly in the Hooker Building from 6 to 9 p.m.
On Tuesday, admission is free for ages 6 to 18, and a pizza-eating contest will be held at 7:30 p.m. in front of the concession stand. Musical performers include Herbert & Tina Conner, Patrick County Dancing Arts Center, Trinity Church Burgie Penn, and Barry & Will Hutchens. Horses will also be displayed in the Animal Barn.
On Wednesday, Shelley Roberts, Debbie Bennett, and Joyful Noise will perform. The Beef Cattle Youth Livestock Competition will begin at 6 p.m. near the Animal Barn.
Thursday is senior night, with free admission for those 60 and older, active military, and veterans. The Sheep & Hog Livestock Show will begin at 6 p.m. in the Animal Barn. Sue Nester, Phillip Adams, Bruce Trent, and J.T. Morrison & the Foothill Boys will perform in the Hooker Building.
Friday night entertainment includes Mary Jo & Charlie Leet with Ron & Terry, Jason Harris and Sawmill Road, and the Country Boys with Johnny Joyce. The livestock show will feature students competing in goats, poultry, and cavy, starting at 6 p.m.
On Saturday, a new hay toss contest will award prizes for the longest toss in youth through adult divisions. A fireworks display sponsored by The Honey Pot on Main will begin at 10 p.m. Barry Collins and the Mudflaps, Snow Creek, Old Time Band with Charles Bowman, and the Old Dominion Cloggers will perform. The clogging and flatfooting competition will start at 8:15 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 ages 6 to 18, and free for children 5 and under.
Ride wristbands are $30 for unlimited rides, or individual tickets can be purchased for $1.25 each.
For more information, visit www.patrickcountyfair.com or Facebook.com/PatrickCountyFair-StuartVARotaryClub.
