Rhea County Fair opens Saturday - Aug. 17-24

IF YOU GO• What: Rhea County Fair• When: 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17; 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Aug. 22-23; 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24• Where: Ag Center, 334 Eagle Lane, Evensville, Tenn. (across from Rhea County High School)• Admission: $5 adults, $3 children 4 and older• Phone: 423-775-7807• Website: www.rheacountyfair.org

A tractor parade, horseshoe tournament and air-rifle shooting gallery are among the highlights of the Rhea County Fair, which takes place over two weekends in Evensville, Tenn.

The fair opens Saturday, Aug. 17, with Fairest of the Fair pageants in seven age categories. The first day closes with lawn mower races at 7:30 p.m.

Nonperishable entries in the ribbon categories will be accepted 2-7 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Aug. 18-19. Baked goods and fresh floral entries will be taken during the same times Wednesday, Aug. 21. Categories include needlework, sewing, arts and crafts, art and photography, canned goods, flowers, baked goods, produce and project exhibits.

The fair returns Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 22-25. Old-Timers Day will be celebrated on the last day, with a showcase of rural and agricultural traditions of the Tennessee Valley. The busy final day also includes a chili cook-off, horseshoe tournament and the Fair Lady pageant for women who have reached "the age of elegance" (60 and older).

Applications and other information can be found at www.rheacountyfair.org.

SCHEDULE

Saturday, Aug. 17

• 8 a.m. Gates open

• 9 a.m.-noon Fairest of the Fair pageants (main stage)

• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Open car show (fairgrounds)

• 9 a.m. Registration for Extreme Horse Challenge (arena)

• 10 a.m. Sheep and goat show (livestock barn)

• 3-7 p.m. Local entertainment (main stage)

• 7:30 p.m. Lawn mower races (arena)

Thursday, Aug. 22

• 4 p.m. Gates open

• 5 p.m. Opening ceremonies (flagpole)

• 6 p.m. Poultry show (livestock barn)

• 6 p.m. Tractor and Horse Parade (fairground)

• 6:30 p.m. Baked Good Auction (concession pavilion)

• 6:30 p.m. Youth Night activities (main stage)

Friday, Aug. 23

• 4 p.m. Gates open

• 6-7:45 p.m. Local entertainment (main stage)

• 6 p.m. Patty drop (arena area)

• 7:45 p.m. Tractor parade (arena)

• 8 p.m. Rodeo (arena)

Saturday, Aug. 24

Old-Timers Day

• 8 a.m. Gates open

• 9 a.m. Lanny Mauldin Chili Cook-off (exhibit hall); judging at noon

• 11 a.m. Fair Lady Pageant (main stage)

• Noon. Cattle show (livestock barn)

• 1 p.m. Horseshoe tournament (horseshoe pit)

• 1-5 p.m. Local entertainment (main stage)

• 5 p.m. Dog Show (livestock barn)

• 6 p.m. Womanless pageant (main stage)

• 7:15 p.m. Saddle Club Drill Team (arena)

• 7:45 p.m. Tractor parade (arena)

• 8 p.m. Rodeo (arena)

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