Note: This story was updated to correct the date of the Hamilton County Fair.
The Hamilton County Fair is returning to McDonald Farm this Veterans Day weekend with more live music, two days of rodeo action and more opportunities to learn about agriculture.
The dream to move the 2023 fair to Sale Creek was ambitious, Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp said at a news conference at the farm Tuesday, but he and a gathering of county officials and fair organizers deemed it a big success.
“Forty thousand people later over a weekend in November — we did it,” Wamp said about last year’s fair. “We navigated some traffic challenges, and had perfect weather. And so we’re back, as we promised, to do it again, and it’s going to be even better.”
After the rodeo Friday night, Wamp said pop-rock band Sister Hazel will perform. On Saturday night, hometown country musician Brandon Davis will open up for Larry Fleet, who Wamp said is a country artist with a loyal following.
TICKETS
Tickets for the fair went on sale Tuesday morning, Karen Shostak, deputy director of Parks and Recreation for the county, said at the fair’s kickoff. She thanked the fair’s sponsors for helping keep the entry fee affordable and kids carnival rides free.
“We have more concerts, more vendors, more crafts, more blue ribbon opportunities, more seating areas, low ticket prices. Basically, it’s more fun for the family,” she said. “More than even last year — so we’re excited about that.”
Big Woody’s Lumberjack Shows will also be returning this year, Shostak said, and there will be a fireworks display Sunday night.
Held from Nov. 8-10, advanced tickets for the fair are $13 for the weekend, and $15 for the weekend at the door.
Children 11-17 are $6, she said, and those 10 and under are free. Daily adult tickets are $8, and there are discounted $6 daily tickets for seniors, active military, veterans, emergency services workers and teachers.
Parking is free.
AGRICULTURE
Ranita “Shorty” Beaty, the fair’s agriculture expert, said farmers and livestock producers will be featured at the fair, bringing cattle, donkeys, pig, alpaca and sheep. The McDonald Farm petting zoo will also be open, starring Murray the donkey, and several local agricultural clubs will have demonstrations about poultry, farming, soil health and blacksmithing.
“With our goal in mind, obviously, is to help educate those attending the county fair to be informed about where their food, fiber, clothing and fuel comes from,” she said of the fair’s agricultural events during its kickoff.
Also, the farm’s Harvest Barn will host multiple agricultural events throughout the weekend, Beaty said, accompanied by live bluegrass music.
On Sunday, there will be a horse parade, she said, and a variety of product and crafting competitions that Hamilton County residents can enter.
The 2,100-acre McDonald Farm was purchased by the county for $16 million in 2021.
Previously, the Hamilton County Fair was held at Hixson’s Chester Frost Park, though the fair was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. The fair was first scheduled for McDonald Farm in 2022, but the possibility of high winds and heavy rain forced its cancellation.
TRAFFIC
Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett said last year’s fair was a tremendous success, but traffic backups were a frequent complaint. For Saturday of last year’s fair, his office made some changes that allowed traffic to flow more smoothly, he said, and his office will improve on that for this year’s fair.
(READ MORE: Park will provide access to farm site in Sale Creek)
“You will be able to get into the fair quickly, we don’t want you to have to wait any longer than you have to” Garrett said. “We want to get you here to have fun with your family.”
HONORING VETERANS
Speaking to the fair kickoff crowd, Davis said it’s an honor to be part of the fair, and play music in a family-friendly environment on Veterans Day weekend.
“It’s us that are blessed to have great men and women that are fighting for us each and every day,” he said. “And I’m honored to get to come to the county fair and participate in such a special event on a very special weekend.”
Contact Andrew Wilkins at awilkins@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6659.