A local tradition returns to the Twin Lakes Area. The 2023 Baxter County Fair is scheduled to begin Tuesday and continue through Saturday at the fairgrounds.
Exhibitors still have an opportunity to register in the education building Tuesday from 2 to 6. Exhibits in home economics, art, photography and baked goods will be accepted, and the horticulture entries will be taken in the horticulture room. In addition, cattle, swine, goats and lambs can arrive at the livestock barn Tuesday from 3 to 9.
The major activities to this year’s fair kick off Tuesday night with the carnival being open from 5 to 9:30, and that night will again be a free admission night courtesy of the carnival provider, PBJ Happee Day Shows of Marion. For the remainder of the fair, gate admission is $7 for ages 6-and-older and free for 5-and-younger.
Fair attendees still have an opportunity to purchase carnival ride tickets at a discounted price. Through Tuesday afternoon, 24 tickets are $20, 12 tickets are $10, and six tickets are $5. Discounted tickets can be purchased at the fair office; all school campuses of Mountain Home, Mountain Home Christian Academy, Cotter, Norfork and Flippin; the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce; and various preschools, banks and businesses throughout Mountain Home and Gassville.
This year’s fair will have a new feature. During a recent episode of the Talk of the Town on KTLO-FM, Baxter County Fair Board President Glenn Priebe said for two nights, arm bands will be sold for carnival rides.
Listen:
The annual fair parade is scheduled for 5:30 Wednesday evening. The parade will begin at Long Chiropractic on Hospital Drive, make its way down Highway 5 and then turn onto Main Street and proceed past the Baxter County Courthouse. Those expected to take part are asked to arrive between 4:30 and 5. For questions about lining up, contact Terry Stobaugh at 870-404-2322. The horse show will follow immediately after the parade at the Saddle Club Arena.
The fair will also include live music Wednesday through Saturday from 7 to 9 each night on the outdoor stage. East Side Baptist Youth will be featured Wednesday, the Nick Reed Band will perform Thursday, Jerry Hopper and Chuck Young will take the stage Friday, and Buck Shot will play Saturday.
Poultry and rabbits may be checked in Wednesday between 9 and 6, and livestock may be checked in Wednesday from noon to 4. Swine will be shown at the livestock show arena beginning at 6 that night.
The fair’s commercial buildings will be open from Wednesday evening from 5 to 9 and Thursday through Saturday from 10 to 9.
Thursday will be Senior Citizens Day, with anyone over the age of 65 being admitted for free between 10 and 5 courtesy of Troy Garland and Garland Insurance. For a pass, call 870-425-0303.
Thursday is also Veterans Day, with veterans being admitted for free all day courtesy of Jim Brown Company. Complimentary tickets will be available at the gate.
A molasses cooking demonstration is scheduled for Thursday and Friday from 10 to 9 next to the food booths and the livestock barn. Thursday’s events also include a senior bingo bash from 10:30 to 12:30 on the indoor stage.
Livestock judgings scheduled for Thursday include dairy cattle, goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep, lambs, breeding cattle, commercial heifers and market steers. On Friday, there will be a cattle, goat and sheep grooming contest, a livestock skill-a-thon and an all-around showman event.
Saturday’s events include the 4-H poultry hen sale, the parade of livestock champions, the Home Depot kids workshop and the stick horse rodeo, relay races and treasure hunt. The fair’s chainsaw-carving competition will begin at 4 at the livestock area, and the annual lawnmower races will start Saturday evening at 6 at the Saddle Club Arena.
This will be the first edition of the Baxter County Fair since the coronavirus pandemic was declared to no longer be a national public health emergency. Priebe says he and other fair board members and staff are looking forward to having full attendance this year.
Listen:
For a schedule and more information, go online to baxtercountyfair.org.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI