By Taylor Boyd
The Henry County Fair and Virginia Cooperative Extension are inviting exhibit submissions for competition at the Henry County Fair on Monday, September 20 from noon until 7 p.m.
“Competitive exhibits are a friendly way for the community to come out and showcase the fruits of their labor,” said Extension Agent Carol Haynes. “I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the first fair Henry County has had in decades. As a Henry County native, it feels good to have the fair back home.”
A variety of products are welcome, including produce, crafts, quilts and canned goods.
Advance tickets to the fair also are available on the fair’s website and can be purchased until 5 p.m. on Sept. 22.
For $20 per person, or $70 for a pack of four, the unlimited ticket will give guests access to unlimited rides, games, activities, and the fun of the fair.
“The unlimited ticket is a real bargain. The rides are always the biggest attraction at any fair. So instead of paying for each ride separately, the unlimited ticket will allow you to experience as many rides and create as many memories as you want during the day,” said Roger Adams, director of Henry County Parks and Recreation and the Henry County Fair.
Tickets purchased in advance are good for only one day of the fair and are non-transferable and non-refundable.
A regular ticket for those not interested in the rides can be purchased for $5 and offers access to a variety of fun family activities.
“At other fairs, you might have a free gate fee, but then you have to pay for each exhibit that you might want to go to after you enter the gate, and that adds up quickly. For only $5, you can have a fantastic experience without needing to break the bank,” he said.
Adams said the recreation department decided to hold the fair as it continuously looks for ways to provide entertainment and recreational opportunities for the community.
“Joe Bryant, who is the Collinsville representative on the Board of Supervisors, kind of pushed the idea of having one,” he said.
The Competitive Exhibits are sponsored by Bryant’s business, Bryant Radio Supply.
Planning for the fair began almost two years ago.
“There’s a lot of work that goes into planning the fair that some people may not realize. When you’re assigning your different acts for the fair, you basically have to sign them a year ahead of time,” Adams said.
Adams said he has received a lot of positive feedback from the community about the event.
“People are excited and we’re hoping for 10,000 people to attend over the four-day fair,” he said.
Presented and sponsored by VisitMartinsville, a division of the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corp., the fair will feature more than 20 rides, food vendors, games, 4-H, a petting zoo, the Miss Henry County Fair Pageant winner, competitive agricultural exhibits, live music, and fireworks Friday night.
Great Lakes Timber show, an old-fashioned fair show with log rolling in a pool, chainsaw carving, and other activities, and the Circus Shane Show, a variety type show, will perform nightly as crowd attractions.
Musical performers will also take the Bassett Furniture Stage Wednesday-Friday nights. The Andy Burnette Trio with special guest Jake Earles will perform on Wednesday, Plastic Musik on Thursday, and Josh Shilling & Mountain Heart will take the stage on Friday.
On Saturday night, Adams said folks can stay for the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 race at the Martinsville Speedway under the lights.
The fair will be open on Wednesday and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., on Friday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., and on Saturday from 11 am. to 11 p.m.
There are no mask requirements to enter the fair, but those 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.henrycountyvafair.com.
A complete list of items accepted for competition is available at www.HenryCountyVAFair.com. Look under special events and click on “Competitive Exhibit Application Packet” for all the information.
For specific questions, call Haynes at (540) 483-5161 or the Henry County Fair Office at (276) 634-4640.
