Mike James
CNHI
GREENUP —
Here are a few things people will see at this year’s Greenup County Fair, which starts today:
‰A possible record number of beef cattle in the 4-H and FFA barns.
‰A bunch of fast-moving lawnmowers racing for trophies and prize money.
‰Giant pumpkins.
‰Vendors in every nook and cranny.
‰Fresh paint on the main buildings.
‰Crowds of fairgoers who don’t mind the heat.
“I know it’s going to be really hot, but we have such a traditional fair in Greenup County that people are going to come out,” said agricultural extension agent Linda Hieneman.
In fact, if attendance at the demolition derby Saturday was any kind of barometer, the grounds should be swarming. “We had a huge turnout,” fair board chairman Jay Sizemore said. “Forty-nine cars. I think we set a record.”
Also, every vendor space on the grounds has been sold, the stock barns are stuffed and the commercial building is filled, Sizemore said. “We’re filled in every direction we can be filled.”
Youth livestock exhibitors weighed in Monday night, and 4-H extension agent Kathy Junker was expecting a full beef barn, about 60 animals. “We’re a little leaner on hogs and about normal in other categories,” she said.
The hot, rainy summer has been hard on gardens, Hieneman said. There may be some slacking off in produce entries. She still is looking forward to one of the more picturesque categories in the horticultural competition — the weighing in of the giant pumpkins.
“We always get pumpkins in the 250- to 300-pound range,” she said. “For a county fair I think that is good.”
A new event this year is the ATV rodeo, Sizemore said. Instead of horses, competitors will ride four-wheeled, all terrain vehicles in otherwise traditional matches such as barrel races and pole races. The rodeo starts at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the main arena.
Lawnmower racing returns this year, and the addition of trophies and prize money should attract some serious competitors, Sizemore said. “It started with some local boys and just kept growing,” he said. “Some of those mowers will go 30 or 40 miles per hour.”
Look for the lawnmowers at 6 p.m. Saturday in the main arena, along with the antique tractor pull.
Other big events include the beauty pageant at 7 tonight in the main arena, arenacross at 7:30 pm. Thursday, and the Kentucky Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pullers at 7 p.m. Friday.
The livestock sale will be at noon Saturday. Junker said she is hoping the 4-H and FFA project animals will fetch good money, although sales at the Carter and Boyd county fairs brought lackluster prices.
MIKE JAMES can be reached at mjames@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2652.
