Bath offers antidote for those needing Fair Fix

The Highland County Fair is upon us, and the pleasure, excitement and hard work it brings begin with a parade, and spill into four evenings of rides, shows, music and food. A couple of weeks after it’s over though, for those who need that Fair Fix, there is the Bath County Fair. It’s a fledgling fair, growing and changing a little each year. Kari Sponaugle, of Virginia Cooperative Extension and 4-H, and Celine Pritt of the Office of Tourim talked about what to look forward to. The fair is on Saturday, September 17^th on the grounds of Millboro Elementary School.

Kari Sponaugle,

“This is our third event. We’re very excited about it, and we’re praying for great weather. Our Bath County Fair hours are going to be 9am to 6pm, and throughout the day we’re going to have things both inside and outside including bands, carnival games. We’re also going to carriage rides this year, and we’re going to have a dog show, a car show and parade, and among other fun things to do. We’ll also have food served by the Ruritan Clubs, and a possible kiddie show.”

If you know any potential Little Miss or Master Bath County, this is their opportunity.   Details on how to join in the contests or the shows are in the Fair Program.

Again Kari Sponaugle,

“We still have the rabbit and guinea pig contest, so if you have a rabbit or a guinea pig at home, you can sign up a few days ahead of time, and bring it in a cage, and display it as part of a contest and win a ribbon for your pretty little animal.

Also we have carriage rides this year. They will be provided by Lexington Carriage Company, which we are very excited to have on the grounds. It’ll be rides, five dollars for adults, two dollars for kids ten and under, and they will take you on a fifteen to twenty minute ride around the Fair and the Millboro area.

I asked Celine what might be offered that will be uniquely Bath County.

“BARC electric is coming, and they’re going to give bucket rides to anyone wanting to go up in their bucket and look at the beautiful scenery around Bath County, definitely get an areal view.”

And where are those Fair Programs available to tell us how to enter our artwork, or show the special vehicle, or where to take our guinea pig to join the contest?

“The office of tourism located in the Courthouse, over at Millboro Elementary School, at the 4-H extension office in the courthouse, and at the Chamber of Commerce in downtown Hot Springs. And you can also find all the information on the Bath County Fair Facebook Page.

As with the case of all county fairs, big and small, old and new, it takes a lot of people power to put one on.

Celine Pritt,“We always welcome volunteers. If you want to help out, on the day of the event, on Saturday, you are more than welcome, and just contact Kari, at her office.”

Kari concluded with appreciation to all of local groups and individuals who are making this third event such a special occasion.

“And we would like to thank our 2016 Bath Fair Sponsors. At the Platinum level we have Highland Mutual Fire Insurance, County of Bath Tourism and Bruce McWilliams, at the gold level we have First and Citizen’s Bank and MGW telephone, at the Silver level, we have Mr. and Mrs. Ford, we have Farm Credit Country Mortgages, BARC electric, Hicklin Land Surveying, and Creigh Deeds, and at the bronze level, we have the law office of Taylor Baker. Some longstanding and original donors to the Fair have been the Bolar Ruritan Club, and Highland Bath Farm Bureau, and our in kind and raffle donation sponsors include Farm Credit, Heart and Soul Massage, Garth Newel Music Center, and County of Bath Tourism.

So again, for a nearly-fall taste of county fair fun, spend Saturday, September the 17^th in Millboro, on the grounds of the Elementary School.