Hancock County Fair starts August 4
The Hancock County Fair starts August 4, and runs through August 7, 2021. Since the COVID-19 pandemic canceled all but a few events last year, people eagerly anticipate this year’s festivities.
“I am glad to tell you that many people have expressed to me how much they missed our fair last year,”
Hancock County Fair Board President Franklin Powers said in the Hancock County fair guide. “We are planning some changes this year and hope they work out for us.”
The first change concerns sponsors. In the past the fair board mainly relied on gate proceeds to fund the fair. That changed this year.
“We have many sponsors that donated several thousands dollars to the fair,” Powers said.
Another change takes place in the motorsports arena.
People attending the fair flock to the motorsports events, so Powers hopes the people love the changes.
“We changed the motocross from Friday night to go cart races,” Powers said.
The motor sports events prove quite popular each year, with a variety of events taking place all three days of the fair. The most popular motor sports event is the demolition derby. It takes place on Saturday night at 7 p.m. Entering a vehicle in the demolition derby requires participants follow very specific guidelines. For all of the contest rules, see the official Hancock County Fair Catalog.
On Thursday evening the Auto Sports Metal mania event kicks off the motor sports events. It takes place in the sports arena starting at 7 p.m. The Metal Mania event consists of a reverse circle track race where drivers race in reverse gear, the circle track race, a figure 8 race and a chain race. In this event, bigger cars pull little cars around the track. Also, a pretty car contest ends the event.
On Friday night the motor sports area also hosts Go Cart racing, starting at 7 p.m. This event consists of several different categories. The chairperson for this event is Daniel Poyner.
On Saturday morning the motor sports arena hosts ATV drag racing. The races start at 10:30 a.m. Several different classes exist for this series of events; see official contest rules in the fair catalog.
Saturday night hosts one of the more popular activities at the fair. It takes place in the Horse Arena, and it is the fun mule show. The show consists of several different contests such as the rescue race, scurry race and the Dizzy Bat race to name just a few.
The fair board also made a change to the Livestock exhibits categories by going to a split fair. Powers said the fair plans for some animal events during the regular fair, but moved the goat and sheep shows to September 11.
“It will be a county 4-H division and an open 4-H division for anybody in the state to come and exhibit,” Powers said.
When people come to this year’s fair, they should notice a major change to the midway, provided the fair board is able to prepare the fairgrounds to allow the change. In the past the ride company parked its housing equipment on the fairgrounds.
“This year we are trying to move the ride company’s trailers and camping units to the back of the fairgrounds to make more room for parking,” Powers said. “It will be a major accomplishment.”
Admission to the fair costs $10 per person. This allows a person to ride on all of the rides available this year.
Casey’s Rides provides the carnival rides this year. The rides open at 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
The Hancock County Fair Board encourages county residents to clear their calendars and make plans to attend this year’s fair. It is a time to visit with old friends, make new friends and generally enjoy visiting with people.
By Ralph Dickerson
