CELINA-This year’s Clay County Fair kicked off last Saturday with the crowning of Laney Haynes as the 2024 Fairest of the Fair, and the annual community event continues all week here on the west bank of the Cumberland River at the Clay County Fairgrounds with arena events, midway rides, and much more.

FAIREST OF THE FAIR-Laney Haynes was crowned 2024 Fairest of the Fair over the weekend to kick off this week’s fair activities, which continue through Saturday.  See page 6 for more photographs from this year’s Fair Pageant. (Photo courtesy Alyssa Marcom Photography)

Gates open at 4 p.m. daily, followed by the midway provided by The James Gang opening at 6 p.m. each evening through Saturday, June 8.

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 feature events will also 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 (6:30 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.

**Fair pageant photos courtesy Alyssa Marcom Photograph ( https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554176010732 )