After a great deal of work and planning by the committee, a greatly expanded Logan County Fair begins Monday and runs through this Saturday, June 17, with another Saturday of action thrown in for good measure on June 24.
Many long-time Logan residents remember the size and excitement of the Logan County Fair when it was managed by American Legion Post 29 on its Hopkinsville Road Legion Fairgrounds for many decades. Since it moved away from there, however, the fair was not held some years and was just a shadow of its old glory in many other years.
The 2017 event, however, has the potential to be the best Logan County Fair in many years.
One reason is that a carnival company with a good reputation has been secured. The James Gang Ride Company had already arrived in Russellville Sunday. Carnival rides will be in operation every day from Tuesday through this Saturday, beginning at 5 p.m. daily. Arm bands are $10 per person for admission with a half-price night Wednesday
The fair started Monday with the dairy and beef shows.
Tuesday’s offerings are greatly expanded, beginning with the regular session of the Logan County Farmers’ Market. The twice-weekly market runs Tuesdays from noon-4 p.m. and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m.-noon. It’s located in the pavilion attached to the smaller building behind the extension office. There is no admission charge for the farmers’ market. Last Saturday, vendors had squash, onions, cucumbers, zucchini, potatoes, herbs, pastries, tomatoes, radishes, natural-ingredients based soaps and lotions, herbs and succulents.
Helicopter rides begin Tuesday at 3 p.m. They are scheduled for each day through this Saturday. Carolina Helicopters will provide the rides. The cost is $20 per person.
Four livestock shows are scheduled Tuesday. The Alpaca Show starts at 3 p.m., the Sheep Show at 5:30, the Goat Show at 6 and the Hog Show at 6:30.
The Little Mr. and Miss Pageant starts at 6 p.m., hosted by the Logan County Tourist & Convention Commission and sponsored by Sarah Herron Photography, New Beginnings Health & Beauty, and Oak ‘n Ivy. Contestants can be checked in beginning at 5:30. There are six age groups for boys through age 5 and nine groups for girls through age 12.
Wednesday’s half-price Family Fun Night includes the Cornhole Tournament, Kiddy Pedal Tractor Pulls, Pig Scramble, Cow-Patty Bingo, and the chance to meet the characters Marshall & Chase.
The entry fee for a cornhole team is $20 pre-registration and $25 at the door. A $1,000 guaranteed purse awaits the top five teams in the double-elimination tournament. Check-in starts at 4 p.m. with warm up at 4:30 and competition at 5. It’s sponsored by Ohio Valley Insurance’s Brent Thacker, Jenny Baird and Travis Combs along with Jason Harper’s Superior LED.
The Pedal Tractor Pull is “open to all kids.” It’s sponsored by Blue Hole Farm, Martin Family Farms, Logsdon Cattle & Hogs, and J&D Farms, LLC.
Cow Patty Bingo is $10 per square with a 50 percent payback,
The Pig Scramble has both adult and child divisions. A 100 percent payback is promised but no entry fee has been announced.
Thursday begins with exhibits being accepted for the Exhibit Hall from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Unique events for the day are a LuLaRoe Luau at 5, the DTF Youth Program at 6 and Mini Hot Rods at 7.
The Luau includes a $25 vendor fee and a $1 entry fee for shoppers. Vendor Set Up begins at 1 p.m. with the doors opening at 5. To register as a vendor, call the Extension Office at 270-726-6323 or check out the Facebook Page Logan County KY Fair.
Grace Recovery House Faith & Family Coalition will sponsor the youth event at 6 p.m. with David Parnell as speaker. Music will be by One Accord. Contact Marie Gamble for information at 270-726-0690.
The Mini Hot Rod Pull will be conducted by the South Central Pullers. For a list of rules, contact the Extension Office or see the Facebook page. This event is sponsored by Ernie’s Lawn Mower Repair & Sales with help from Logan County Farm Bureau, Mike Baugh agent.
Two very different events highlight Friday evening. A Demolition Derby and Square Dancing both begin at 7 p.m.
The entry fee for the Demolition Derby is $75 with a discount for Logan County drivers. Vehicles must be 1980-2002 models, and no completely black cars will be allowed. Cars must have seat belts, working brakes, a front windshield bar and no glass. A complete set of rules can be found at the Extension Office or the Facebook page. The event is sponsored by Clay Bilyeu of Clay’s Auto Body & Logan County Towing and Craig Beadnell’s Logan County Auto Body & Towing.
Veteran square dance caller James Henry Duncan will do the honors for the dance. He will teach the skill as well as do the calls. Barry Silvey & The Backroads Bluegrass Band will provide the music.
The Farmers’ Market begins Saturday’s big day with the market open, as always, from 7:30 a.m. until noon. Each sessions this time of year means more vegetables and varieties of fruits and vegetables will be available. Look for all mentioned above plus jams, jellies and crafts.
Saturday will find the Exhibit Hall open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 4-H members will exhibit their projects at Cloverville, which is also the name for the 4-H wing at the Kentucky State Fair. Success at their county fair qualifies 4-Her’s to send their exhibits to state. Open exhibits for those not in 4-H will also be on display. No admission charge will be assessed at the Exhibit Hall. Carrie Derossett jas brought excitement as the new Logan County 4-H Agent.
Taste of Logan will held from 2-4 p.m. Saturday. Logan County restaurants and caterers will have samples available for those who purchase a $10 ticket. Each ticket holder is entitled to a sample from every vendor. Colonial Inn, Lost River Creamery, Haley’s Roost, Webb’s Restaurant and several other eateries are expected to participate. State Farm Insurance Agent Amanda Gossett and the Tourism Commission are the sponsors.
Saturday at 6 p.m. a KTPA Sanctioned Truck & Tractor Pull will be held in the Ag Arena. Categories are 6000 Light Hot Farm Tractors, 4300 Light Pro Stock Trucks, 6000 Light Limited Super Stock Tractor, a Non-Sanctioned Class, and 12,000 Farm Stock Tractors. Sponsors are B.R. Knuckles Insurance Agency and Hutson’s Ag.
After a week’s respite, a Draft Horse Pull will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 24. Weigh times will be from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tim Haley Auction & Realty is the sponsor.
Lonny Epley chairs the fair board. Also on the board are Extension Office Agents and staffers Leann Martin, Carrie Derossett, and Linda Martin; LCHS ag teachers Bryan Estes and Jay Campbell; Tammy Tinsley of the Logan Chamber; Dee Dee Brown of the Tourism Commission; and Paul Gripshover, Coroner Mary Givens, Jason Harper, Scott VanSickle, Cody Tatum, Josh Walpole, Barry Cornelius, Barry Perkins, Brad Hall, Tabby White, Conner Williams and Ashley Holloway.