The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Mitch Worley, Quill Reporter
It's that time of year again for the fun and excitement that comes to Augusta, known as the Hancock County Fair.
This year's fair will include the same popular events, adding a little bit to the tractor pulls this year, extending it another day for an antique tractor pull on Sunday.
The first day of the celebration will be kicked off early Wednesday morning at 8 with the Domestic Arts Judging.
At 6 p.m., Archway Amusement will begin hosting the carnival. It's an armband night, which allows those wanting to ride the carnival's rides for a flat fee can purchase the armband and ride all rides on an unlimited basis for the night.
The entrance fee into the fair will be $6 each day except Sunday, which will be $5.
About a half hour after the carnival begins, it will be followed up by the Hancock County Queen and Little Miss Pageants.
The final event for Wednesday will be the Cowboy Mounted Shooting at 7 p.m.
One of the most popular events will kick off Thursday's events with the IFPA Sanctioned Tractor Pull, along with Archway Amusement's carnival at six o'clock. The carnival will again provide the opportunity for patrons to purchase armbands that will offer a flat fee for unlimited riding for the night.
The Chevy Shootout Team Sorting Competition will keep the night hopping at 7 p.m., and from 8:30 on, cheeseburgers will be sold to those attending the fair until 12:30 a.m. that night.
Friday night is a major draw with the Mud Bog by the West Central Mud Racers starting off at 6 p.m.
The Western Horse show will follow at 7:30 and Captain Geech and the Shrimp Shack Band will rock the fair from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m.
Saturday is most noted for the Section XI FFA Show and Kids Day.
The FFA Show starts off at 8 a.m. with the Beef Cattle Show and FFA Vegetable Show.
At 8:30 a.m., fair-goers will witness the Small Animal Show, followed by the Sheep Show at 10, Goat Show at 11 a.m., and Market Hog Show and Swine Show at 11:30 a.m.
Kids Day starts up at 1 p.m. at the Outdoor Community Center, while the FFA Shows continue at 2 p.m. with the Beef Show.
Barrel Racing begins an hour later, then a new FFA Show will be added to the mix with the Horse Show.
With all of those things happening, one would think the day is about over, but not by a long shot.
Arguably, the most attended event will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday with the Demolition Derby sponsored by Rinella Co.
Upon the completion of the Derby, Nashville Bound will take the stage and perform their music until about 1 a.m.
Sunday is the final day for the fair, starting off with a Community Church Service that will begin at 9 a.m.
After the service is over, two more events begin at 11 a.m.
Both the Antique Tractor Pull and Steer Show will start simultaneously, then two more agriculturally focused events will conclude the fair with a Market Lamb and Goat Show starting at 1:30 p.m., and a half hour later, the Team Roping Competition will conclude the day.
Outside of all the events that will be taking place, second year Hancock County Fair President Jim Roberts said this year will be a great deal easier than last year.
Roberts said, "Last year we had to work into the first day of the fair to finish a building for the FFA Show, but it all got finished just in time."
Being President of the Hancock County Fair is a position that Jim Roberts was born to fill as many of his other family members before him have served as Fair President and/or superintendents, carrying on the family tradition, which is a staple of the Hancock County Fair.