Lots of old-fashioned, down-home fun is in store when the Polk County Fair opens its gates Aug. 20-25.
The fair is held in the Showbarn, 632 Showbarn Drive in Benton, Tennessee. There will be beauty pageants, music, pretty baby contests, agriculture contests and of course plenty of people vying for bragging rights and blue ribbons in the home-centered exhibits.
And it's all free - from admission to contests to concerts. The only charge is a $20 wristband for the carnival provided by Casey's Rides.
In fact, the Polk County Fair is believed to be the last free fair in the state, according to Joyce Stafford, fair president.
Gates open at 6 p.m. each day of the fair. The only exception will be Aug. 18-19, when competitors must deliver their contest entries for the ribbon exhibitions. Delivery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 1-4 p.m. Sunday.
Here's a rundown of some of the week's highlights:
» Monday, Aug. 20: Flag-raising at 6 p.m. and recognition of veterans, Pretty Baby Contest Day 1 for infants, 8 p.m. local talent show.
» Tuesday, Aug. 21: Pretty Baby Contest Day 2 for toddlers, 8 p.m. performance by Elvis impersonator Brandon E.
» Wednesday, Aug. 22: Senior citizen night, gospel music and church service.
» Thursday, Aug. 23: Cattle show at 6 p.m., sheep show at 7 p.m., dairy show at 8 p.m. Karaoke performances inside the showbarn at 7 p.m.
» Friday, Aug. 24: Bluegrass band Just Us from Delano, Tennessee, plays at 7 p.m.
» Saturday, Aug. 25: Fairest of the Fair pageants start at 3 p.m. with Wee Miss; Little Miss at 4 p.m., Preteens at 6 p.m., Juniors at 7 p.m. and Fairest of the Fair at 8 p.m.
For more information: 423-715-3975.