Friday registration is now required; new events, full schedule detailed

CELINA-The 2024 Clay County Miss Fairest of the Fair Beauty Pageant is set to kick off the 2024 Clay County Fair this weekend.

The event will be staged in the Women’s Building at the fairgrounds here this Saturday, June 1 beginning at 2 p.m.

Different from prior pageants, early registration is now required on Friday, May 31, and it can be completed in person from 5-7 p.m., when rehearsal will also be held.

Online registration must also be completed by Friday at 7 p.m., and no late entries will be accepted.

The Fairest of the Fair category is for Clay County residents ages 16 through 21, and several other categories will be open for all ages, including Clay County residents over 60 years old who can compete for the title of Ms. Senior Clay County.

Reigning Fairest of the Fair Abby Eads (pictured) will crown this year’s winners.

Complete rules can be found in the fair book or online at claycountytnfair.com.  Also visit the Clay County Fair Facebook page for details.

More information can also be obtained by calling Dorothy Forney at 931-243-3564 or Lois Turner at 931-704-4187 for the Ms. Senior Pageant, or Madeline West at 931-644-5102 or Layla Watkins at 931-260-2870 concerning all other categories.

QUEENS OF THE FAIR-The 2024 Fair Pageant will kick off this year’s fair, where reigning Fairest of the Fair Abby Eads (left) and 2023 Ms. Senior Patricia Gifford (right) will crown their successors this Saturday, while the rest of the fair will continue June 4-8. (photos courtesy Clay County Fair Facebook page)

Marble tourney, more Sat.-Mon.

The Tennessee Knuckler’s Marble Tournament will also be held Saturday, the same day as the pageant, beginning at 10 a.m., and decorating hay bales for a judging contest will take place on Sunday and Monday.

Additionally, Sunday features a six-hour time period from 12-6 p.m. for adult and youth exhibit entries in canning, culinary, field crops, orchard and garden, photography, craft and needlework, and school projects.

For more information about exhibit entry, contact Haley Barnes at 931-243-2311.

New events at the fair in 2024

Following this year’s fair theme of “A groovy kind of fun,” new to the fair in 2024 will be the Happy Hippie Outfit Contest, where trophies will be awarded to the Most Authentic (real vintage attire), Most Creative, Best Hippie Vibe, People’s Choice, and Best Overall—who will win a record player.

Age divisions will include 0-5 years, 6-10 years, 11-15 years, 16-20 years, 21-30 years, and 31 and above.

“Put on your groovy bell bottoms and fringe and join us,” organizers said, inviting the public to participate in next Friday’s contest beginning at 6 p.m. with registration in the Entertainment Building.

A Knit-In will also be held for the first time, where participants are invited to gather their yarn and needles for an evening of stitching amidst the sights and sounds of the fair next Tuesday night beginning at 6 p.m.

“Anyone is welcome to come and knit, crochet, spin wool, or complete other projects,” organizers said.  “Chairs and light refreshments will be provided.”

Additionally, the 1st Annual Tablescaping Competition will be held in the Entertainment Building next Thursday, with registration from 4-5 p.m. and judging taking place from 5-6 p.m.

Multiple categories will make up the event, where participants will try to set the best table to be judged and viewed.

Local rising star Cherokee Upton will also hold a concert Saturday night from 7-8 p.m., with a Hand Drumming Concert to follow from 8-9 p.m. in the Entertainment Building.

Next week’s fair event schedule

The main fair will begin next Tuesday, June 4 and will continue through Saturday, June 8.

Gates open at 4 p.m. daily, followed by midway rides opening at 6 p.m. each evening.

Nightly events will include the carnival, food trucks and concession stand, commercial exhibits, farm and home exhibits, community garden, decorated hay bales, painted rock scavenger hunt, fishing exhibit, TWRA trailer, Forest Service exhibit, youth board free kids activities, outdoor educational exhibits, adult and youth exhibit viewing, and more.

A full list of events has also been finalized and will be held according to this schedule:

• TUESDAY:  Senior Day at 10 a.m.; Kids Night (kids enter free/discounted arm bands); Opening Ceremony (5 p.m.); 15 & Under ATV & Dirt Bike Rodeo (6 p.m.); Swine Show (5 p.m.); Dog & Pet Show (6 p.m.); Knit-In (6 p.m.), and Bread-baking, Canning, and Laundry Soap Demonstrations (7-9 p.m.).

• WEDNESDAY: Goat Show (5 p.m.); Adult ATV & Dirt Bike Rodeo (6 p.m.); Tie Dye, Growing Mushrooms, and Macramé Demonstrations (6-8 p.m.); and Championship Wrestling (7 p.m.).

• THURSDAY: Kids Night (kids enter free/discounted arm bands); Tablescaping Competition (4 p.m.); Quilting Demonstration (4-6:30 p.m.); Broiler Chicken Show (5 p.m.), Petting Zoo (6 p.m.); Cornhole Tournament (6 p.m.); Century Farm Dinner (6:30 p.m.); and Fun Horse Show (6:30 p.m.).

• FRIDAY: Sheep Show (5 p.m.); Growing/Using Herbs and Jewelry Making Demonstrations (6 p.m.); The Happy Hippie Outfit Competition (7 p.m.); Quarter Horse Show (7 p.m.); and Lawn & Garden Tractor Pull (7 p.m.).

• SATURDAY: Beef Heifer Show (5 p.m.); Basket Making Demonstration (6 p.m.); Farmer for a Day Exhibit (6-9 p.m.); Rodeo (7 p.m.); Lawn & Garden Tractor Pull (7 p.m.); Cherokee Upton Concert (7-8 p.m.); and a Hand Drumming Concert (8-9 p.m.).

For more information about this year’s Clay County Fair pick up one of the 2024 fair books available at most local businesses, visit claycountytnfair.com, or follow the event’s Facebook page for more.