Farm fun in the city attracts fair crowds

Bedford County Commissioner Jimmy Patterson reminded everyone at the Tuesday evening meeting of the Rules Committee that the Bedford County Fair had opened Monday and would be going all week.

"We had real good attendance last night and you all should go," he said.

Patterson apparently leads by example. An hour after the meeting, he was at the fair with his family, one among hundreds weaving his way through hot dog stands and hay bales.

Crowds gather

Tuesday was "armband" night, in which one price bought unlimited rides at the carnival.

"I've been seeing the cars come in," said Whitney Danhof, UT Extension Agent.

She wasn't sure about the overall attendance of the fair, but she did know the number of entries was up.

"We had a huge dairy show here last night," she said. "We've got 99 beef entries tonight. We've had lots of entries in canning. It's been a good year for home canning."

The threat of rain didn't deter the visitors. At 8 p.m., when some were already leaving, more were still coming in.

Riding along

"It's a way to be with all my friends," said Amanda Murray, one of a group of teens waiting for their turn to ride the Zipper.

"It's fun!" said Savannah Hill.

"It's like the only way we can get together," said her friend Lacey Beech, who then swatted at their friend Mick Cagle, who claimed he only came to the fair because he was bored.

"I come to see what rides make me the most sick," said yet another of the group, Will Mullins.

Family affair

Eddie DeLeon carried a paper plate filled with funnel cake and powdered sugar to his wife Susan, who was in the bleachers listening to a bluegrass gospel group.

"We come to the fair every year we can," he said, nodding solemnly before joking. "We have to check it out, make sure it's adequate before we bring our granddaughters tomorrow night."

He should have asked Hannah Redd. At the ripe old age of 8, she knows what she likes, and she likes the fair.

"I like getting to ride all the rides," she said as she let a pair of recently shorn sheep nibble grain from her hand in the new petting zoo. "And I like feeding the animals."

The fair continues through Saturday.

Upcoming events

Today is Seniors Day and Youth Day with special events scheduled throughout the day before Faith Night, with the By Faith gospel quartet performing at 8 p.m. A fun dog show will be at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday features the tug-of-war, the smoking tractor pull and the Elvis show. The carnival opens at 6 p.m. today and Thursday, 5 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday.

A daily fair pass costs $5 with ages 6 and under free, except Thursday night. Admission on Thursday night is $10 per person, 6 & under free and includes admission to the tractor pull and Elvis show, but does not include carnival rides.