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Tuesday, 08 September 2009 |
Employees of Evans United shows and Saline County Fair volunteers were at the fairgrounds Monday making preparations for the county fair that officially opens today. 
A highlight of the week is the fair parade scheduled for 6 p.m. in Downtown Benton.
The theme is “Old Time County Fair.” Entries will include marching bands, bicyclists, decorated floats, cheerleading squads, dance teams, beauty queens, including Miss Saline County Fair Queen Candace Chandler and other pageant winners, antique cars and equestrian units.
The parade will follow the downtown route that has been used for many years, beginning on South Market Street to Cross Street, turning there and again on North Main. The procession will conclude on South Main Main Street.
Following the event, the fairgrounds officially opens for the fair that concludes Saturday night. Admission to the fairgrounds is free and parking is $5.
The annual rodeo being held in conjunction with the fair is scheduled Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Pre-show festivities begin at 7:30 p.m. with the rodeo competition beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets are available in advance at Farmers Co-op, Ranch & Rider and Bullock’s Market in Benton; East End Hardware in the East End community; and On the Grove in Haskell.
Advance rodeo tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for youths ages 7-12. Children under 6 are admitted free.
Corporate sponsors for this year’s fair are Everett Buick Pontiac GMC, McDonald’s of Benton and Bryant and N&D Technical Services Inc.
Senior Citizens Day is scheduled Thursday and School Day and Special Needs Day are on tap Friday.
Saline County 4-H Clubs are sponsoring a petting zoo in conjunction with the fair activities.
Local businesses will operate booths that will be open to the public. These are located in the commercial exhibitors building.
Other areas of the fairgrounds will feature horticulture exhibits, baked goods, artwork, photography, scrapbooking exhibits, various crafts and other exhibits.
Various competitions will be held throughout the week, including contests for horticulture, food preservation, upholstery, cultural arts, livestock, rabbits and ponies, a new event this year.
Officers of the Saline County Fair Association are Edward Jetton, president; Waynell Stuart, vice president; Nanette Webb, secretary; Vicki Chism, treasurer; Terry Parsons, assistant treasurer; and Tommy Wallace, parliamentarian.
Fair officials encourage local residents to come out to the parade and then visit the fair that offers old-fashioned fun.
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Razorbacks
