| Over 287,000 attendees going into final days of nine-day run |
| Friday, August 28, 2009 |
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By JENNIFER HORTON Wilson County Fair enters its final two days for 2009 tonight and tomorrow and a fair board official thinks it will come close and maybe even reach the half-million in attendance mark. By JENNIFER HORTON Wilson County Fair enters its final two days for 2009 tonight and tomorrow and a fair board official thinks it will come close and maybe even reach the half-million in attendance mark. Yes, Mother Nature may bring some raindrops, but generally speaking, fairgoers in the past have not let that keep them away from attending the largest county fair in the state. Don’t let the fact that it is the largest county fair in the state keep you from attending. Parking should be much smoother as the fair board has arranged for satellite parking and transportation. “We’ve made arrangements to secure four or five school buses that will transport patrons from the front entrance of Lebanon High School on Harding Drive to the Purple Admission Gate at the fair,” said Craig Browning, public information officer for the fair. This special parking and shuttle service will be available on Saturday only, from 6 until 10 p.m. “That’s our peak time,” he noted. “This will help us take the pressure off parking lots and gives another option for a place to park. (It’s) a first for the Wilson County Fair in our history” for off-site parking. “The last Saturday is when some of our largest crowds come, and it’s the day when we have the most activities. From Chili Cook-Offs to the Demolition Derby to the last night of the carnival, we hope to have a large crowd; and now we have a place to park them,” he added. The first Saturday of the fair drew 105,779 visitors, “the largest crowd the fair has ever seen,” Browning said. “If the rain holds off, we hope to hit that number close again or even higher.” The fair through Wednesday has had 287,946 visitors. Browning encouraged everyone to come out tonight and tomorrow, noting even with some rain chances in the forecast “with Middle Tennessee weather, in 10 minutes it’ll change.” And even if a raindrop or two falls, there are plenty of indoors exhibits – air-conditioned, too – packed full of Wilson County grown vegetables, photographs, business displays and more. There are exhibits in large tents and the youngsters especially would enjoy the Poultry exhibits with rabbits, chickens, roosters, ducks, geese, turkeys and so on. “There’s something for everybody here,” he added. The Demolition Derby gets under way tonight at 7 in the Outdoor Arena. Pageants continue along with entertainment throughout the fairgrounds. Saturday features the Tennessee State Champion Chili Cook-Off with judging to begin at 1 p.m. There will be Mule Pulling, Beef Shows, Old Time Square Dancing Jamboree, and of course, the Demolition Derby. Much more is planned for Saturday. Check your fair catalog or visit online at www.wilsoncountyfair.net. The theme of the fair this year is “Celebrating 30 Years of Volunteers.” The fair is sponsored by Middle Tennessee Ford Dealers. Editor Jennifer Horton may be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . |
