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Come on down to the 94th Annual South Mountain Fair!

Danielle Ryan

(7/22) Are you ready for the throttling of tractors, the smell of corn dogs and the kids screaming gleefully on the Tilt-A-Whirl? Well, buckle up, because the 94th Annual South Mountain Fair will not disappoint! This year the fair will open the first week of August, August 2nd through August 6th, which is about two weeks earlier than in the past.

Admission for the fair is $7.00 for adults and is free for all children under 36" in height. All entertainment is included in the admission price and parking is provided to the public for free. Anyone using free passes must purchase a carnival ride armband at the gate for a small fee if they wish to ride the carnival rides.

The South Mountain Fair provides a chance for children in Adams County to be acknowledged for their personal efforts ranging from hobby interests to animal husbandry, for local and national merchants to show off their wares, and for community members from far and wide to come together and join in an evening full of fun.

Livestock exhibitions scheduled to be held during the fair include swine competitions on August 2, goat and sheep competitions on August 3, beef, calf and steer competitions on August 4, and dairy cattle competition on August 21, the annual junior livestock sale will be held on August 5. The grand culmination of all the livestock shows commences with the 4H/FFA livestock sale on August 5.

South Mountain Fair Secretary Joanne Irvin said that many other fair favorites will return this year, including a baked goods auction on August 2 with part of the proceeds going to a local charity, a draft horse pulling contest on August 3, a fireworks display on August 4, an antique small gas engine demonstration on August 5 and 6, and a parade of antique farm equipment on August 6.

Other activities include a Monster Energy Motocross Stunt Rider show on August 2, a chainsaw carving show on August 5 and 6 and the South Mountain Falling Fainters Goat Show, which will occur on August 6. Exhibit buildings will be open every day for the public. Exhibits include: a photography exhibit; floral exhibit; baked goods, wine, vegetables, grain and fruit exhibits; crafts and art pieces of all kinds; as well as 4H projects.

Entertainment this year includes the Battle of the Bands, sponsored by Rocky 98.5 on August 3, T.G. Sheppard on August 5 and Gravy, a local classic rock band will be performing on August 6. Entertainment will be held in the Auditorium. Come on out and enjoy some free music!

The fair was officially kicked-off in 1922, and continued on annually until 1930, when it was cancelled that year because of a drought. The annual event picked up again in 1931 and continued until 1941, when it was again cancelled, this time due to a polio epidemic, then World War II, according to the SMFA. The fair was resumed in 1948 and has been held every year since then.

For more information and a complete schedule, visit www.southmountainfair.com.

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