Taste of the Fair

Does anything go better together than ice cream and the county fair? As much a tradition as livestock classes, clogging, the Tilt-a-Whirl and canned peaches, ice cream deserves its own spotlight at the fair.

This year, it will not only be getting a spotlight, it may be getting some national television coverage. The Cooking Channel's Ice Cream Truck Tour will be making stops all across the nation, including Philadelphia, Boston, Atlantic City, San Francisco, Dallas and New York. It will also be visiting Tennessee, but so far, only two stops have been scheduled. One will be in Nashville -- and the other will be at the Bedford County Fair, at the Agriculture Center on Midland Road.

"They called me up and asked if they could come," said Judy Gambill, the fair president. "It's pretty exciting, they may be filming for the channel."

The Cooking Channel, which launched Memorial Day as a replacement for the Fine Living Network and as a corporate sibling of Food Network, created the one-of-a-kind ice cream truck to "satisfy fans' cravings for summer's most delicious ice cream flavors," stated the press release.

Visitors to the ice cream truck tour stop will be treated to a scoop or two of their favorite flavor and in some cities get a taste of the on-air talent when they meet the stars of "Chuck's Day Off," "Everyday Exotic," "FoodCrafters" and more.

"After Cooking Channel's successful launch, we wanted to celebrate with fans across the country with ice cream, a summertime favorite," said Susie Fogelson, senior vice president of marketing, creative services and brand strategy at Food Network and Cooking Channel. "Along the way, in the spirit of what Cooking Channel is all about, we are partnering with local ice cream shops to give them the recognition they deserve within their communities. Visitors can also indulge in finding out more of what Cooking Channel is all about from some of the stars themselves. The idea is to engage and have fun with food people from the chefs to the enthusiastic eaters to the bloggers town by town."

Gambill said she believed the truck would be at the fair Tuesday, but the exact times and dates have yet to be confirmed.

The fair this year officially opens Monday at 6 p.m., although the Fairest of the Fair kicks things off this Saturday.

New, old mix

Blending new events and items, like the ice cream truck and the Cooking Channel coverage, with the traditional aspects of the fair is what keeps it fun and interesting for everyone, said Gambill.

She, along with her hardworking and unpaid board of directors and volunteers, works for a solid year to give the residents of the county a week of solid fun.

"We used to be able to do it in three months," said Gambill. "Not any more!"

More than dozen years ago, a bunch of folks got together and decided it was time for Bedford County to have its own fair again. Between the Celebration and the loss of the old fairgrounds to fire, the annual gathering had fallen by the wayside. Slowly at first, the fair returned.

"We had three events that first year," said Gambill. "This year, we have more than 30."

Music rings out

One area that always features old and new is the entertainment.

"We're going to have a lot of new entertainment this year," she said. "We've got Jim and Inge Wood, Three Steps to Glory will be the headline act on Faith Night, and we'll have The Springs, a new country group."

Local favorite Nicole Nichols will also perform, as well as Mary Williams, the granddaughter of music legend Don Williams.

Another local musician, Duane Drake, will also take the stage with a concert heavy with George Strait numbers, and the fair will close with another old favorite, "Four on the Floor."

"We love them," said Gambill.

Some other new events include the children's competitions on opening night.

"They'll start as soon as the 6 p.m. opening ceremonies are over," said Gambill. "There will be all kinds of fun game, like the pig race."

Of course, other fair favorites are scheduled, such as the rabbit and poultry show, the smoker tractor pull, the horse show and the mule pull, which as been gaining in popularity every year, she said.

Special days, nights

Karaoke night is also Monday night, and Wednesday is both Senior Citizens Day and Youth Day.

Wednesday is Faith Night, and Thursday will feature the tractor pull, Nicole Nichols, The Springs, and the Midstate Cloggers.

"This year we're having the tug-of-war at 5 p.m. on Friday," said Gambill. "We would really like people to register ahead of time."

Friday also features the Lawn and Garden Tractor Pull, the All Pleasure Horse Show, Duane Drake, and the Wool and Woolies review, which features sheep -- and all the things you can make from their wool.

On Saturday, there will be the Miniature Donkey Show, the Mule Show, the Mule Pull, the Antique Tractor Pull, and Stephani Elli, another up-and-coming young singer, as well as "Four on the Floor."

"The mechanical bull will be there every night," said Gambill. "And the carnival is coming back, too."

Daily events

The carnival will open at 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, at 5 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Sunday.

The exhibits of home crafts and cooking, as well as 4-H projects, will be on display throughout the fair week. Those wishing to contribute their efforts can take their entries to the fairgrounds on Midland Road, next to the Extension office, Sunday between 1 and 5 p.m.

For a complete listing of categories and rules pick up a fair catalog at the UT Extension office, 2105 Midland Road.

Family passes to attend the fair are available for $30 for a family of four. Call the fair office at 684-0760 to purchase them.