Madison County Fair begins Tuesday

MADISON — Along with fluffy pink cotton candy, you can get down and dirty with changing a tire on a partial replica of a NASCAR auto at this year’s Madison County Fair, which opens today.

That’s not all that is new this year at the county fair.

There will be remote control car competitions every day, with knobs to control the speed of the car and steering wheels to control the driving direction. The competitions are sponsored by Fast Action Motor Sports Entertainment. The winners from each day will compete in a championship round 6 p.m. Saturday on the track.

The fair’s rides will be operated by a different company this year. Carnival-ride operator Degeller Attractions, based in Stuart, Fla., is the same operator for the Virginia State Fair for the past 18 years. There will be between 15 and 20 rides this year for all ages.

Also new this year is a Kids Fun Tent. There will be a corn bin for children to play in, as well as matchbox cars, a beanbag toss, storybook time and coloring. Malvern resident Richard Sestak will be teaching leather crafts to children under this tent.

There will be a special 75th anniversary Shenandoah National Park photography contest this year, as well. Those interested can find out more about the competition on the Madison Chamber of Commerce website, www.madison-va.com, or by visiting the office at 110 N. Main St.

The fair runs will be open from 4 to 11 p.m. today through Friday and 10 a.m. till 11 p.m. Saturday. Tonight is free, but fair organizers are asking for donations for the Madison County Volunteer Fire Company, Madison County Rescue Squad and Madison County Fair Association. On Wednesday and Friday admission is $5 for adults. On Thursday and Saturday, admission is $10. Children 8 or younger are admitted free. To enjoy the rides, there will be carnival armbands for sale that cost $12 today through Friday and $15 on Saturday.

“If you want to ride multiple rides, the armbands will make it more economical,” Madison County Fair Board Chairman Scott Daniel said.

Parking is free. The fair is at the Young Farmers fairground behind Madison County High School off Fairground Road.

“There are so many things to see and do. It just appeals to so many different people,” Daniel said.

The theme for the fair this year is “Red, White and Blue — Madison’s Fair is For You.”

Daniel said the theme was chosen because, “We wanted to celebrate our military and all those that serve in the police force, fire department and fire squad. It is also the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11. We thought it was a good time to recognize our country’s history.”

Daniel said it has been a few years, but a rodeo was brought back to the fair this year.

“It tends to be fairly popular, so we brought it back. The crowd gets quite a lot of enjoyment watching the professional riders,” he said.

Another fair activity that is a traditional crowd pleaser is the donkey races, which are set for 8 p.m. Wednesday. “They are known to be quite stubborn. Getting them to go the direction you want isn’t the easiest thing,” Daniel said.

Besides the new events, there will be several classic activities such as watermelon and pizza eating contests and a lawn mower pulling contest. There will be a petting zoo, camel rides, the traditional home, farm and garden exhibit and livestock shows.

In the home, farm garden exhibits, there will be quilts, baked goods, craft works, painting drawings and items people built.

Cox reports for the Madison County Eagle.