Portions of Southeast Tennessee and North Alabama are celebrating their agricultural bases at county fairs this week and next.
Fairs continue through Saturday in Cumberland and Sequatchie counties and through Monday in Rhea County. In Meigs (Tennessee) and Jackson (Alabama) counties, the five-day celebrations start Tuesday.
Banjo-playing funnyman Mike Snider, a Grand Ole Opry member, will perform Saturday in Sequatchie County and Monday in Rhea County.
CROSSVILLE, TENN.
Cumberland County Fair, fairgrounds at 1391 Livingston Road; gates open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. CDT today and Saturday; free.
The weeklong fair concludes Saturday. Highlights include Family Farm Olympics at 2 p.m. Saturday, followed by a horse and mule show at 7 p.m. (all times Central).
DUNLAP, TENN.
Sequatchie County Fair, fairgrounds on Heard Street; gates open at noon today and Saturday; midway open 6-10 p.m. nightly (all times Central); $5 gate admission today, $3 Saturday.
Highlights of the fair's last two days are a pet show today for Senior Citizens Day. Mike Snider and his string band will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday.
EVENSVILLE, TENN.
Rhea County Fair, fairgrounds at Rhea County Ag Center on Eagle Lane across from Rhea County High School; gates open at 4 p.m. today, 8 a.m. Saturday, 12:30 p.m. Sunday and 8 a.m. Monday; $5 adults, $2 children.
Highlights include Fairest of the Fair pageants Saturday, gospel performances every half hour on Sunday and a concert by Mike Snider at 6 p.m. Monday.
DECATUR, TENN.
Meigs County Fair, fairgrounds on Main Street; gates open 5 p.m. daily, except for 4 p.m. Sept. 10; free.
The fair opens Tuesday with Fairest of the Fair pageants beginning at 7 p.m. The 4-H poultry show and sale begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday, as does the Pretty Baby contest.
On Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m., staff from Athens Regional Medical Center will be on-site for a health fair. Sept. 9 will feature a gospel singing, and the week closes out Sept. 10 with a classic car show and the junior beef show.
SCOTTSBORO, ALA.
Jackson County Fair, Veterans Park Fairgrounds, 220 Cecil St.; gates open at 5:30 CDT nightly, midway opens at 6 p.m. Tuesday-Sept. 9, 5 p.m. Sept. 10; $4 ages 12 and older, $3 ages 4-11.
The fair opens Tuesday with songs and drama by the Ridgedale Baptist Church youth group and clogging and line dancing. Entertainment continues Wednesday with gospel and country music by The Pittmans. Thursday features John Radavsky & McKinley. Kissel Entertainment is providing the midway, with armbands for unlimited rides priced at $20.