The 154th Annual Athens County fair began Friday with food, rides and shows, and additional events to attract visitors throughout the end of the week.
I've been coming to the fair since I was just a kid
Albany resident John Carsey said. Carsey has helped work the Alexander Lions Club food tent at this year's fair.
In addition to traditional fair food, attendees also can enjoy amusements and entertainment throughout the day. The midway opens at noon.
Tonight's demolition derby at 7 p.m. is expected to be the fair's biggest event, said Roger Bail, treasurer of the fair board of directors.
Monday night's Tough Track drew a pretty big crowd to watch participants race their ATVs on a challenging dirt course, Bail said. Several vehicles flipped, but no one was hurt.
A new event at this year's fair is the junior tractor pull Saturday, Bail said. The adult tractor pull, usually a weekend event, took place last night instead.
Several bands also will perform at the fair.
With the singing entertainment you never know how it's going to go Bail said. Blue County, a new country-rock group, performed to a full grandstand Tuesday night. Without Papers will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, and Krayon and 8AM will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday.
While many visitors come for the events, the livestock and craft competitions are also an important part of the fair. Shade resident Stace Robinson, who is showing dairy cows at the fair with his father's family farm, has been bringing livestock to the fair for more than 20 years.
We started in 1981
Robinson said, It's our county fair.
Robinson, who was involved in 4-H as a teenager, also has shown hogs and chickens at the fair. His 3-year-old son, Tyler, will show a Jersey calf in this year's fair. In addition to dairy cattle, beef cattle, rabbits, hogs, turkeys and other animals also are in competition for prizes at the fair and the junior fair. Area youth also are displaying crafts and food through groups such as 4-H and FFA.
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Casey Westlake
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The 154th Athens County Fair runs through Saturday with a demolition derby tonight and various musical acts the rest of the weekend.
