A fair shot

Rural revelry returns to Expoland with the arrival of the annual Augusta County Fair, today through Saturday.
Ever changing, the lineup for this year’s fair will feature new shows, along with old favorites.
Expoland’s interior is now air-conditioned for the first time in its history – fair participants can beat the heat by going inside to see more than 100 local vendors and civic groups.
“We think we have a unique fair because we try to promote agriculture,” said Susie Shiflett, fair manager. “We try to get the community involved and I just think we’ve got a real nice set up this year.”
Last year, approximately 25,000 visitors made their way to the fairgrounds.
Livestock
Central to the Augusta County Fair is its livestock. FFA and 4H shows will allow area children to prance around with potentially prize-winning stock, while open shows invite the community to do the same. Gentle beasts to compete include sheep, horses, cattle, goats and hogs. Livestock shows will take place in the Dick Coffey Pavilion and the Sugar Loaf Show Room. New this year is the Great American Disc Dog Show, which will run all five days. The petting zoo will be open during fair hours for the hands-on set. The Virginia Wildlife Center will present wildlife exhibits nightly. A farrier contest presents a chance for participants to show off shoeing skills.
Rides
The fair’s Midway sparkles amid the action each year. Whip and whirl through the air on such rides as the “Super Shot,” featuring a gut-wrenching plummet, or try the much-tamer Ferris wheel and slide. Organizers also have set up a host of kiddie rides for the younger crowd. For budding racers, Miniature NASCAR features hand-controlled cars and a scaled-down racetrack.
Entertainment
Chainsaw Chix is a chance for females to show off their sawing skills. Women with powertools will whittle chunks of wood into sculptures as part of a judged contest. New this year is Agricadabra, an agricultural show performed by local children to show off their knowledge. Motocross racing, the demolition derby and a tractor pull will rev up at Expo’s track again this year. Bands such as the WORX and Grandstaff will offer their musical stylings – fair participants are admitted by paying an extra $5. Bluegrass bands and other musicians perform under the tent for free. Tonight’s festivities will conclude with a fireworks display.
Food and crafts
Step inside for a taste of the fair’s domestic marvels. The crop and vegetable display boasts fresh pickin’s – some might even be dapperly dressed. Gardeners are judged on the fruits of their labor. Other exhibitors will showcase baking, sewing, quilting and other crafts. Stroll the Midway for sweet treats and tasty fair food.
Augusta County Fair
HAPPENING TODAY:
* 6-10 p.m. — Midway “Sneak Preview”
* 8 a.m.-4 p.m. — Commercial exhibits received
* 8-11 a.m. — All exhibits received (except flower show)
* 8 a.m.-noon — Sheep, dairy, beef, hog entries received
* 10 a.m.-4 p.m. — Stockman’s Contest at the barn
* After 4:00 p.m. (daily) — Great Lakes Timber Show
* 6 p.m. — Midway opens - Rosedal Attractions
* 6:30 p.m., 7:45 p.m., 9 p.m. — Fast Action Motorsports racing
* 7 p.m. — Hog show at the barn
* 7 p.m. — Motocross at the track ($5 admission)
* 9 p.m. — Fireworks display

Tickets
Ticket prices are lower; children ages 7-12 will be admitted for $3 – an effort by organizers to help strained purses. General admission is still $5.

This article was edited to change the time of ‘Midway “Sneak Preview”‘ from 6 - 10 a.m. to 6 - 10 p.m.