County Fair events kick off this weekend

By April Taylor, Record Editor
Published: August 7, 2008

Prize-winning pies, huggable pets, foot-stomping medleys and plenty of games and entertainment. The Greene County Fair, Greene’s best-attended annual event, brings all of this and much more to the fairgrounds off Route 230 next week.
The fair begins Tuesday night, August 12, and continues through Saturday, August 16. (Non-perishables entries may be registered on Sunday, 3-6pm, perishables on Monday, 4-7pm.)
Organizers hope to top the roughly 15,000 people that flocked to the fair last year. 
“With the economy the way it is, we’ve kept our prices the same to enable people to get some entertainment and enjoy themselves at our fair,” says Marie Durrer, treasurer of the fair’s board of directors.
The event kicks off this Saturday, August 9, with a giant community yard sale, to be held 7:00 am to noon. Later that day, the Demolition Derby, offering $1,100 in prize money, takes place at 7 pm at the fairgrounds.
The derby, produced by Tennessee-based Stoney Roberts Promotions, Inc, is a large crowd pleaser.
“Spectators get to witness these guys that we call ‘Radiator Gladiators’ do their thing,” says Frank Roberts, president of Stoney Roberts. Inc.
Admission to the derby is $10 per person for those over the age of 10.
For the first time, Rosedale Attractions, based in Rosedale, Md., will provide amusement rides, games and carnival food for the fair. Local nonprofit groups will be selling foods both at the fair and derby.
Kids Country Tent, which debuted in 2007, is back by popular demand this year. The play area, which opens at 6pm and closes at 10 pm each night, is available for children aged 8 years old and under. Puzzles, a corncrib, hay bales and racetrack are among the things on hand. Parental supervision is required.
For many, the Greene County Fair is very much a family affair.
Durrer says organizers work hard to try to “have something for all age groups.” . 
“Our fair combines great food with great entertainment and good fellowship,” says Durrer.
And bluegrass gives the fair much of its unique flavor, she adds.
Among the highlights of this year’s Greene County Fair:
• Tuesday—Family Magic Show by Party Magic at 6:15 and 8pm; Rowdy Rooster Puppet Show at 7 and 9:15pm. Horseshoe Tournament begins, sponsored by the Greene County Ruritans. Bluegrass Brothers perform at 7 pm and 9:30 pm on the grandstand.
• Wednesday—Beef, sheep and swine show at 7 pm.  Youngsters get a chance to show the animals, which are their livestock projects, as well as their ability to handle the animals. The Lewis family performs at 7:30pm and 9:30 pm.
• Thursday—Family Magic and Illusion Show at 8:30 pm. Lost & Found performs at 7:30pm and 9:00 pm. Pedal Tractor Contest (ages 4-8) at 7:40pm.
• Friday - The Deanes perform at 7:00 pm on the grandstand. Livestock Sale and 4-H Ham auction at 7:30pm.  The Dark Hollow Bluegrass band plays at 8:30am and 10:00pm.
• Saturday—High Horse Cloggers perform at 5pm; Car Show by Country Cruisers from 4 to 8pm.  M.D. Mallory and The Charlottesville Grass perform at 7pm. The Virginia Ramblers and Charles Frazier perform at 8:30 pm and 10 pm on the grandstand.
Fair catalogues have a full schedule of events.
Admission to the fair is $5.00 for adults (13-61), $4.00 for seniors (62+); $4.00 for children (6-12). Advance ticket prices for weekly passes are as follows: seniors $15.00; adults, $20.00; kids $12.00. Children under six enter free.
Advance weekly tickets for the fair may be purchased at the fairgrounds on Friday night, August 8, from 7-9pm, August 9, from 6-9pm, August 10 from 3-6pm and Monday, August 11, 4-7pm.
On Tuesday night, Rosedale Attractions will be offering “Kids Night” wristbands for $10.00. Advance $10 wristbands for Wednesday and Thursday nights may be purchased at the fairgrounds at the same time as advance weekly tickets
The fairgrounds open at 5:30 pm Tuesday through Friday and at 4:00 pm on Saturday. The fairgrounds close each night at 11:00 pm.
To put on the fair each year is a lot of work, says Durrer, but it’s worth it,” she adds.
“We’re already working on next year’s.”
Members of the Greene County Fair Association’s Board of Directors are as follows:  Van Bowman, President; Paula Chapman, Secretary; Gayle Collier; Marie Durrer, Treasurer; Dickie Durrer; Shelah Haggenmaker; Ed Lumadue, Vice President; Sharon Lumadue; Thomas Mallory and Bill Stump.