Highland County Fair Preview

The end of August brings shorter days and cooler nights to Highland County, and with those comes the event that residents and former residents look forward to, the annual Highland County Fair. 2015 will mark the 64^th year of the event, and as always it will be equal parts entertainment, dining out and family and friend reunion.

The fair will officially begin on Saturday, August 29^th with three events. The archery competition begins at 10:00 am, with classes for men, women and youth, featuring modern and traditional equipment. At 11:00 at the grandstands, the horse show will get underway, with exhibits in Western and English pleasure, speed events, over fences, and an obstacle course. The day will conclude with the fair dance at 8:00 pm, with country and bluegrass music by local musicians Rare Gold, and square dancing called by Ellen and Eugene Ratcliffe.

The fair activities will resume once again on Wednesday September 2^nd at 6:00 pm with the parade through Monterey. Stay tuned to Allegheny Mountain Radio for live coverage of the event. The amusement  rides will open for kids of all ages,with special reduced prices for the evening.  Then at the grandstand at 7:00, stock and custom built lawnmowers will compete in a pulling contest.

Thursday September 3rd, Pat Cantrell and the High Country Band will perform at the fairgrounds tent at 6:00, and the always popular destruction of the demolition derby will start at 7:30 at the grandstand.

The kiddie show, hopefully featuring less destruction, will start Friday morning, September 4^th, at 10:00 am in the high school gym. Friday evening will feature the first of two days of pulling contests, with tractors and diesel trucks starting at 6:00. For those seeking quieter entertainment, the Little Switzerland Cloggers will be performing in the high school gym at 7:30.

Saturday, September 5^th,  will feature a busy slate of activities, beginning with the dog show at 9:00 am. Bluegrass music will be featured at the fairgrounds tent from 12:00 – 3:00, and a cornhole tournament will be held at noon at the school playground. Regular trucks will begin pulling again at 6:00, and a gospel music show by Glen Shelton will be held in the high school gym at 7:30. The fireworks display will begin at 10:00

Agricultural exhibits and shows are a key attraction over all four days of the fair. The 4H/FFA Cattle and Goat show will take place Wednesday at 1:00, with the Hog and Sheep happening Thursday at 10:00 am. Youth sheep costume contest, obstacle course and pet classes will be held Friday at 5:00 pm, and the livestock sale will begin Saturday at 2:00. The elementary school gym and produce barn will be open all four days with vegetables, baked goods and canned items, as well as artwork, pictures, taxidermy and more.

Season passes for the fair are $15 for ages 15 and up and $5 for ages 10-14. Daily admission prices are $10 for ages 15 and up and $5 for ages 10-14. Children under 10 get in free.

For more information and a full schedule of all events, rules and entry requirements, visit the fair website at www.highlandcountyfairva.com.