Fall Into New at the Fair

 This article was written for the Robesonian by our own Shea Ann DeJarnette, Extension 4-H Agent.

I can almost smell the popcorn, hot oil for the funnel cakes, and ribs slow cooking on the cooker as the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair gets ready to open September 29. You can expect some of your old favorites like great food, incredible rides, and animals that will make you smile. We also have a lot of new things going on this year, and you won’t want to miss out. Here are a few new things you can experience as part of this year’s fair.

One of the things you will see prior to the fair opening is our new Fair Entry system. This is an online system that will make entering home exhibits and animal entries easier than ever. Folks who submit entries will be able to go online and pre-register their items if they wish. If not, bring your items in and we will register the way we have before, it will just be done on a tablet this year instead of paper. Our tags will have bar codes that will make it easier for our judges to tag winners, and it will make work easier for our fair volunteers. It doesn’t cost anything to enter your home exhibits (crafts, crops, baked goods, flowers, etc.) in the fair, and you might just be a blue-ribbon winner. Home-exhibit take in will take place Sunday, September 24, from 1-6 p.m. and Monday-Wednesday, September 25-27, from 4-8 p.m. Bring your items out and see if you will be a blue-ribbon winner.

Some of the new you will experience will be on the grounds as soon as you turn in. We have a new electronic sign highlighting our events, sponsors, and all the great things going on at the fair. Also, we have new ticket booths for our online pass, mega passes, and complimentary pass holders so you won’t have to wait in the long lines to get in. This year we will also have the opportunity to redeem your mega passes prior to coming to the fair, so all you would need to do come fair time is walk in the gate.

Another new feature: we will be able to accept credit and debit cards. We are happy to be partnering with Truist to make this convenience happen for our fair patrons and make it easier to get in the gate. Of course, if you prefer to use cash we will still be taking that and have an ATM at the gate for your convenience.

Every year we have new entertainment, and this year is no different. Come check out the Doc Magic comedy show and Ember Fire, the Fire Dancer. Of course we will have some of your favorites returning. Alan Sands will be on the McDonald’s Stage, and Johnny Rockett’s Cycle Circus will be wowing crowds with their death-defying motorcycle act. We have some incredible singers and entertainment lined up nightly in the McKenzie Supply Company tent. All of this for just $10 gate admission, and if you love the rides you can get an unlimited ride band for $25 Monday-Thursday, and $30 on Friday and Saturday. Think about all the “new” you will want to check out for this bargain price. See it all  September 29-October 7. You won’t want to miss it because, “We Have It All!”.

For more information, please check out the fair website at www.robesoncountyfair.com