MC Fair opens July 12

Along with fluffy pink cotton candy, you can get down and dirty with changing a tire on a partial replica of a NASCAR auto at this year’s Madison County Fair, which opens Tuesday.

That’s not all that is new this year at the county fair.

There will be remote control car competitions everyday at the fair. There will be knobs to control the speed of the car and steering wheels to control the driving direction. It is sponsored by Fast Action Motor Sports Entertainment. The winners from each day will compete in a championship round 6 p.m. Saturday July 16 on the track.

The rides will be operated by a different company this year as well. Carnival-ride operator Degeller Attractions, based in Stuart, Fla., is the same operator for the Virginia State Fair for the past 18 years. There will be between 15 and 20 rides this year for all ages.

Also new this year is a Kids Fun Tent where there will be all kinds of activities for children. There will be a corn bin for children to play in as well as matchbox cars, a bean bag toss, storybook time and coloring. Malvern resident Richard Sestak will be teaching leather crafts to children under this tent.

There will be a special 75^th anniversary Shenandoah National Park photography contest this year as well. Those interested can find out more about the competition on the Madison Chamber of Commerce Web site or by visiting its office. (Its Web site is at www.madison-va.com and the chamber’s office is at 110 N. Main St. in downtown Madison. The office is open 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.)

The fair runs from Tuesday, July 12 through Saturday, July 16 this year. It opens 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and opens at 10 a.m. Saturday. It lasts until 11 p.m. or a half hour after the last event. Tuesday night is free, but fair organizers are asking for donations for the Madison County Volunteer Fire Company, Madison County Rescue Squad and Madison County Fair Association. On Wednesday and Friday admission is $5 for adults. On Thursday and Saturday, admission is $10. Children 8 years or younger are admitted free. To enjoy the rides, there will be carnival arm bands for sale that cost $12 Tuesday-Friday and $15 on Saturday.

“If you want to ride multiple rides, the arm bands will make it more economical,” Madison County Fair Board Chairman Scott Daniel said.

Parking is free. The fair is at the Young Farmers fairground behind Madison County High School off Fairground Road.

“There are so many things to see and do. It just appeals to so many different people,” Daniel said.

The theme for the fair this year is “Red, White and Blue – Madison’s Fair is For You.”

Daniel said the theme was chosen because, “We wanted to celebrate our military and all those that serve in the police force, fire department and fire squad. It is also the 10^th anniversary of Sept. 11. We thought it was a good time to recognize our country’s history.”

Some of the bands to enjoy this year’s fair include:

* Dark Hollow bluegrass band.

* Dry Run bluegrass band.

* Milford Station bluegrass band.

* Tommy Wood country band.

* Sweetwater country-Southern rock band.

Daniel said it has been a few years, but a rodeo was brought back to the fair this year.

“It tends to be fairly popular so we brought it back. The crowd gets quite a lot of enjoyment watching the professional riders,” Daniel said.

Another fair activity that is a traditional crowd pleaser is the donkey races, which are set for 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 13. “They are known to be quite stubborn. Getting them to go the direction you want isn’t the easiest thing,” Daniel said.

Daniel said there are two spots available for people to sign up at the fair to ride the donkeys.

Besides the new events, there will be several classic activities like watermelon eating contests, pizza eating contests and a lawn mower pulling contest. There will be a petting zoo, camel rides, the traditional home, farm and garden exhibit and livestock shows.

In the home, farm garden exhibits, there will be quilts, baked goods, craft works, painting drawings and items people built.

“We certainly are appreciative of the sponsors that have supported the fair board. We hope it will be very entertaining,” Daniel said. “By having more sponsors, we’ll be able to add more entertainment for fairgoers.”

IF YOU GO

What: Madison County Fair.

When: It opens 4 p.m. daily Tuesday-Friday, July 12-15 and 10 a.m. Saturday, July 16. It closes 11 p.m. daily (or a half hour after the last event).

Where: Young Farmers fairground, behind Madison County High School off Fairground Road.