Fair Celebrating 40th Anniversary

Whoever is in charge of the weather for the 40th annual McDonald County Fair should get a raise.

The fair will be held from July 17-19 on the fairgrounds at McDonald County High School. Temperatures are forecast to be much cooler than normal, with a good chance for rain throughout the day on Thursday. The high for Thursday is expected to be only 70 degrees with Friday maybe reaching 80 and Saturday making it to 85. The low each night will be near 60 degrees.

But whoever is responsible for the unusual cool wave, shouldn't expect a bigger check this year. That's because no matter who it is, the one thing for sure, is that person is a volunteer.

Dewey Pierce has been chairman of the fair since 2008 and has been involved in some capacity at the annual event for all of its 40 years of existence. Pierce, like everyone else who helps make the fair such a great thing for the kids of McDonald County, volunteers his time.

"There is no way we could put on the fair without all the volunteers," Pierce said. "They spend hours and hours in order for there to be a fair for the kids. That's the reason they do it."

Pierce said he especially appreciates the help from the vocational agriculture department at McDonald County High School.

"The school has some really good ag advisors," Pierce said. "They really help out."

Pierce said the fair is shaping up to be comparable in size to the past few years.

"From what I have heard, the livestock will be pretty good," Pierce said. "It should be as high as last year or a little higher. With the pretty weather we are expecting, it will be a beautiful fair. There seems to be a lot of interest in commercial booths this year. The chamber (McDonald County Chamber of Commerce) is helping out. I think the cooler weather will definitely help out in the commercial barn."

Pierce noted the horse show and Sho-Deo will be held at 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 20.

"Last year we moved it to earlier in the year, but this year they wanted to try the Sunday after the fair," Pierce said. "We moved from during the fair because kids wanting to be in the horse show and Sho-Deo really couldn't if they were were showing livestock. This way allows them to do both. It also helps alleviate parking a little bit without all the horse trailers."

Pierce said the success of the fair depends on the public's attendance.

"I invite everyone to come out and support the kids and their livestock," Pierce said. "They put in a lot of hours of hard work getting ready for the fair."

The fair begins Thursday with opening of indoor exhibits at 5 p.m. One of the highlights of the three-day event is the crowning of the princess and queen which will be held at 8 p.m.

Livestock shows begin Friday morning at 8 a.m. with hogs. Sheep are next at 10 a.m. followed by beef at 1 p.m., goats at 4 p.m. and dairy cattle at 7 p.m.

The ever-popular bucket calf show for the youngsters is at 6 p.m.

Saturday's events include the annual Tiny Tot Contest at 10 a.m. The tractor driving contest is set for 2 p.m. followed by the turtle race at 3 p.m. and the dog show at 3:30 p.m.

The premium sale begins at 6:30 p.m. Anyone wishing to purchase a premium or buy an add-on, can visit the fair office prior to the sale.