Meigs County Fair — A tradition that lives on

Sept. 7 through 10, the Meigs County Fair will be held in the Decatur Meigs County Fairgrounds.

Gates will open each day at 5 p.m. except on Saturday, when the gates open at 1 p.m. There is no admission charge. Corporate sponsors providing free admission are SouthEast Bank, Volunteer Energy Cooperative, Piggly Wiggly, Dr. Shane Roberts, Bowers Funeral Home and Middle Tennessee Natural Gas.

Individuals wishing to enter items in the fair may bring them on Sept. 6, between 2 and 8 p.m., to the fairgrounds in Decatur.

Entry categories include agriculture, hobby, photography, garden, youth, floriculture, and home economics.

A Junior Market Lamb Show and Commercial Ewe Show will be held at 11 a.m. on Sept. 5.

Meigs County Fair has been held continuously for 37 years. It is actually almost 100 years old. There were a few years the fair was not conducted, according to Clare Nell Breeden, fair secretary.

The fair is more than fun, food and games. It is educational, too.

A “Farmer for the Day” activity again this year teaches children where their food really comes from — “A Farm.”

Last year Fair Bingo, an activity for fourth- and fifth-grade youth, was offered. Activities included beekeeping, poultry exhibits, or the health fair.

A popular spot for fair attendees is the gallery of photos and news clippings. There are representations of past fairs and people.

Recognizing local talented youth has always been chosen by the fair committee to invite them to perform and entertain. On Wednesday night Emmy, Kyla & Cord and Kinslee Greene will sing at the Pretty Baby Contest; on Thursday night, Ashley Clark will sing as entertainment at the Fairest of the Fair Pageant. Friday night, Wilburn & Wilburn will be performing gospel music, and on Saturday night, Kinslee Melhorn and Angel Thurman will sing.

The special fair activities will include car and tractor shows, as well as the junior beef show.

On Thursday night, a Health Fair with service provided by Starr Regional Medical Center will be conducted from 6 to 8 p.m. It will feature lots of information, some free health screenings, and door prizes.

Also a Horseshoe Tournament will be conducted at 6 p.m. Thursday.

A barnyard nursery provided by the Meigs FFA Chapter will be on Wednesday through Friday nights. Kids will have the opportunity to feed the animals.

Paradise Amusements will be providing a carnival and games each night.

For more information, contact 423-334-5781 or 423-618-2406.

“We hope folks will come out and enjoy the fair with us and participate in the competition of entering exhibits,” said fair president Bobby Roberts.