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County fair officials cancel tonight’s parade |
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Tuesday, 02 September 2008 |
Saline County Fair officials said late this morning that the annual scheduled for 6 p.m. today has been canceled because of the weather.
Tom Wallace, a member of the fair board, said board members met at the fairgrounds to discuss the issue and decided to cancel the event.
Wallace had said earlier in the morning, “We might get a break in the weather, but it doesn’t look like it now. They’re saying that there’s a big chance of rain ... .
“It’s unfortunate, but it’s no one’s fault,” he said. “It’s just one of those things that happen and we just have to accept it.”
“It’s an Old-Time County Fair” is the theme for the fair, which officials said likely will be affected by weather during most of the week.
Like Wallace, other fair board members were trying to be philosophical about the situation. Nanette Webb said, “We can’t control Mother Nature.”
As of Friday, the parade had drawn 65 entries, about half the number of last year.
This year’s parade already was conflicting with tonight’s Salt Bowl football game at War Memorial Stadium, which pits Saline County rivals Benton and Bryant high schools against each other in the annual clash.
Scheduled to serve as the parade’s grand marshal was Lola Hobbs, 99, of Benton, with Sophia Tilley, 10, planning to serve as the junior grand marshal. Sophia, who lives in the Salem community, is fighting bone cancer.
The fair’s midway is scheduled to open at 6 p.m. today. Tonight has been designated as Armband Night, which allows people to ride as many rides as often as they want for a single $14 price. Additional Armband events are scheduled Thursday night and from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.
The junior bullriding competition is scheduled at 8 p.m. today. This will feature bullriders 19 and younger. McDonald’s of Benton sponsors this event.
The annual fair rodeo will get under way Thursday and continue through Saturday night. Activities begin at 7:30 each night.
A maximum of 10 riders will be allowed each night.
Another feature of the fair will be the Best Dessert contest sponsored by Smith-Caldwell Drug Store in Benton.
This event, which takes place Saturday, will recognize first-, second- and third-place finishers in adult and junior divisions. Entry forms are available at at Smith-Caldwell or at the county Extension Service office on Edison Avenue.
The Extension Home-makers Kitchen will be open throughout the fair and will feature traditional foods prepared by members of the county’s Extension Homemakers clubs.
Judging of cultural arts, horticulture, livestock, animals and other 4-H projects will be taking place throughout the week.
The 4-H Clubs will oversee a petting zoo Thursday-Saturday and the peewee livestock show ill be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
Special groups will be recognized during the week. Thursday is Senior Citizens Day and Friday is School Day.
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