CROSSVILLE CHRONICLE

For 50 years, the Cumberland County Fair has been entertaining generations of family members, and 1997 promises to be no exception.

The 1997 fair's official dates are Thursday, Aug. 21, through Sunday, Aug. 31.
Admission prices are $3 for adults, $2 for children and children less than 6 years old are admitted free. All exhibit buildings are open daily from Monday, Aug. 25 through Saturday, Aug. 30, from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. On Thursday, Aug. 21, from 1-7 p.m., entries will be taken in the adult and youth department with the exceptions of baking, flowers, poultry, rabbits, woodcarving and crops. Those entries will be taken on Sunday, Aug. 24, from 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, starts the day early at 9 a.m. with the Old Fashion Youth Field Day at the Community Complex softball field.

Cash prizes of $3 for first place, $2 for second place, and $1 for third place will be awarded, and a free lunch will be provided to all children. Age group breakdowns for Field Day are preschool, ages 6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13 and 14-15. The big prize giveaway will be savings bonds, one boy's bicycle and one girl's bicycle; however, you must be present at the end of the field events to win. Special guest for the day is Deroy the Clown.

The Youth Bicycle Rodeo will start at 10 a.m. with registration at 9 a.m. Events will include the straight-line ride, turning around, double obstacle course, emergency turn and stop, figure-eight steering, teeter board and double zig-zag obstacle course.

Participants must have enrolled in the fourth grade or higher on Jan. 1, 1997, and must not be over 18. Participants must also furnish their own bicycles and all must wear helmets. Cash prizes of $25 for first place, $20 for second place, $15 for third place, $10 for fourth place, and $5 for fifth place will be awarded in each event.

The Cumberland County Fair Youth Pet Show is scheduled for noon, with registration at 11 a.m. Classes will be dogs, cats, rabbits, gnawing animals, birds, water pets, other pets and novelty classes. The pet show is open to any youth resident of Cumberland County under 19 years of age. (Parents are not allowed to show animals.) Cash prizes will be $3 for first place, $2 for second place, and $1 for third place.

At 4 p.m., the young beauties will take to center stage in the complex arena for the Tiny Tot Contest (3- to 4-year-olds), with the Wee Miss (5- to 6-year-olds), and Little Miss contests (7- to 9-year-olds) to follow. At 7 p.m., the Fairest of the Fair contestants, ages 16-20 years, will compete for the coveted title of Cumberland County Fairest of the Fair and the opportunity to compete in the state pageant in December in Nashville.

On Sunday, Aug. 24, the Cumberland County Young Farmers and Homemakers Club will sponsor the Family Farm Olympics from 4-6 p.m. There are 15 events planned from corn shelling, and hay throwing to the three-legged race. Entry fees are $2 per event for adults or $10 to enter all 15 events and $1 per event for children. Cash prizes of $10 for first, $8 for second, $5 for third, and $3 for fourth will be offered in each event. There must be a minimum of three entries per class and a maximum of 10 entries will be allowed. After enjoying the Family Farm Olympics, everyone is invited to come and enjoy a free barbecue, starting at 6:30 p.m.

The opening ceremony for the 1997 Cumberland County Fair will be held at approximately 8 p.m., with entertainment by the Robinson Family. The day will be capped off with an explosion of color and excitement in fireworks.

Exhibits and the Country Store will open to the public on Monday, Aug. 25, at 10 a.m.
At 7 p.m. that evening, Kicks Radio 106 will start off the evening of entertainment and the ever popular group Phil Dirt and the Dozers will take the stage at 8 p.m.

Beauties continue on Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 6 p.m. with the Fair Princess (10- to 12-year-olds) and the Junior Fairest of the Fair (13- to 15-year-olds) pageants. And, the midway opens. Mixed doubles horseshoe pitching and the Upper Cumberland Sheep show are also scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.

Senior Citizen Day is Wednesday, Aug. 27, starting at 9 a.m. On tap for the evening is the Open Feeder Steer Show and the Men's and Women's Double Horseshoe pitching contests. The gospel quartet, Gold City, will take to the main arena at 7 p.m. for an evening of inspirational and enjoyable music and harmony. Horseshoes continue on Thursday evening with the Open Beef show scheduled for 6:30 p.m. And, at 7 p.m., the Big Band Beat begins. New to the entertainment, but close to the hearts of many on the plateau, the Cumberland County Fair Association will offer an evening of big band music for enjoyment.

The Big Band Sound Orchestra includes three vocalists, 10 brass, five saxophones and a bass, piano, guitar and drums. The music will be that of the Big Band era with several famous orchestras represented: Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman, Les Brown, Glenn Miller, Count Basie and others. There will be music for everyone from rock and roll, country, torch songs, swing, Latin, jazz, ballads and more. Another awesome display of fireworks will be presented at the conclusion of the evening's performance.

Cumberland County school students can enjoy their Fair Day by attending D.A.R.E. Day starting at 10 a.m.-4 p.m. There will be educational displays by the Cumberland County Sheriff's Department, Rescue Squad, Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services, Tennessee National Guard and more. There will be free admission for everyone, and everyone is welcome.

The Youth Costume Class is scheduled for 11 a.m. and will be followed by Youth Showmanship at noon. The Junior Beef Show will begin at 1 p.m. and the Open Swine Show starts at 2:30 p.m. The Open Beef show begins at 6:30 p.m. and country/western entertainer Ronnie McDowell will take the stage at 7:30. Moby from the Moby in the Morning Show on WOW-102.5 will broadcast live on Friday, Aug. 29, from 6-9 p.m. Additionally, WOW-102.5 will broadcast live from the Cumberland County Fair every night Tuesday, Aug. 26, through Saturday, Aug. 30, from 6-9 p.m.

On Saturday, Aug. 30, a new event will take place at 10 a.m. The Cumberland County Fair Association Dairy Goat Show. The show is sanctioned by the American Dairy Goat Association and the judge is Mark Considine from Wisconsin.

From noon until 5 p.m., the Pretty Baby Contest will be held. The midway opens early on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. George F. Jones will entertain at 7:30 p.m. with Makin' Music scheduled to perform at 9:30 p.m. After Makin' Music, more fireworks will light up the night.

Removal of exhibits is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 31, from 1-3 p.m.
The Cumberland County Fair has something for everyone, regardless of age. Plan to spend some time enjoying the Cumberland County Fair.

If you need information about the fair or any of its activities, call the Cumberland County Fair Office at 484-9454.