By Jay Ermis
Managing Editor
Sat, May 17 2008
—
The 2008 Walker County Fair unofficially gets under way in 11 days and fair association committee members are finalizing details for the 10-day event.
The fair officially opens March 28 and continues through April 5, winding up April 6 with the presentation of the Top Hand Award.
Fair association directors and committee members held their final meeting before the fair begins Tuesday night at the fairgrounds, checking over last-minute items.
Earlier Tuesday, Jeff Murski, marketing coordinator for Mid-South Synergy, presented the fair association with 10 electric service outlets that will be installed in an expanded area where a variety of vendors will be located during the fair.
“Jack King with the fair association contacted us about a need they had here to upgrade their concession facilities,” Murski said. “Since the fairgrounds is used as an economic development and tourism tool, we seized this opportunity and knew it was a good one to participate in.
“We were glad to participate by donating 10 pedestals and some other equipment for the upgrade of electric service here. We try to help however we can.”
While registration for county team roping will be held from 5-7 p.m. March 19 at the fairgrounds, the first day with a large number of activities planned is March 22.
A breakfast will be held for queen’s contestants, starting at 7:30 a.m., and their projects will be judged. The winner will not be announced until opening ceremonies March 29.
Each contestant is required to do an 8- to 10-minute presentation on their fair project and participate in a 10-minute interview, according to committee chair Marjetta Spriggs.
Contestants will be introduced during the committeeman’s barbecue and media appreciation March 25.
Contestants are Rebecca Bittinger, Megan Chernosky Randi Crappito, Jordan Dyer, Natalie Gustafson, Makenzie Hayman, Jamie Letbetter and Jana Yates.
Other queen’s committee members are Stacy Spriggs Holman, Carol Brown, Stephanie Brock, Traci Walker and 2007 WCFA Queen Taylor Morrison.
In addition, on March 22 an exhibitor’s work day will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, Walker County team roping starts at 10 and Country Star auditions begin at 1 p.m. in the committeman’s room.
The fair parade entry deadline is March 24.
Also, season passes are on sale Huntsville Farm Supply, Heartfield Florist,Walker County Feed and New Waverly Feed & Farm Supply.
The price of season passes is $20 before the fair starts and $25 after the fair starts.
“I think things are looking good at this stage,” said Carol Smith, one of the fair association’s vice presidents, Tuesday night after the board of directors’ meeting.
“There are a lot of things pulling together at the last minute, but that is typical. A lot of things you can’t get done until the last minute.
“We have two more work days (Saturday and March 22) scheduled for the students. Inmates from TDCJ are now on-site and that makes a tremendous difference. They can accomplish more in a day than we can in a month.
“Things are looking good. Everything is falling together. It’s tweaking things that are already in place.”
“It is a huge operation and there are so many little pieces to the puzzle,” Smith said of the fair. “Everybody pulls together with their committee. This is a 12-month a year process.”
Smith said there are more than 300 committee volunteers and parents helping with the fair.
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