The 66th Annual Crawford County Fair will be held next week. Are you going?
    No. Why not?
    It still amazes me how many people I talk to who say they’re not going to the fair and haven’t been to it in years. In fact, it’s fairly common to talk to people who haven’t been to the fair since it moved to Hood Park.

    Most of those people have fond memories of going to the fair when it was at the old fairgrounds (so do I), but they’ve never been to the new fairgrounds. If you enjoyed the fair at its old location, why on earth would you not go to the new fairgrounds?
    The fair is so much better now than it was at the old location that there is really no comparison. And it’s primarily better because of the facilities at the park. There is more room, better buildings and improved parking. All that allows for more events and activities and a better experience for fair-goers.
    But, if you haven’t been to the new fairgrounds, how would you know any of that?
    So if you haven’t been to the fair in years, make plans to go this year. And if you want to just try it out without making a financial commitment, then plan to go on Tuesday night.
    That’s right, the fair officially starts on Tuesday, not Wednesday. Tuesday is Family Fun Night on Tuesday and admission is free. Events for the fair’s first night include the children’s pageant at 5:30 p.m. on the small stage, gospel singing on the main stage, and the annual horse and pony show at 6 p.m. in the Ed Mitchell Arena.
    That first evening you will have to pay for carnival rides, but the rest of the week the rides will be included with the price of admission. That is something new this year. The carnival rides will be open in the midway area from 6 to 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 6 to 11 p.m. on Friday, and noon to 4 p.m. and 6 to 11 p.m. on Saturday.
    The annual fair parade will be held on Wednesday, its normal night. The parade begins at 6 p.m. (starting at Mizell Funeral Home, traveling down Route 66 toward the fairgrounds). Also that night there will be bull riding at 8 p.m. in the arena, and the queen talent contest at 9 p.m. on the main stage.
    Thursday highlights will include the prince and princess contest on the main stage at 7 p.m., followed by the crowning of the 2012 fair queen and her court at 8:30 p.m. Bull riding will also take place that night at 8 p.m. in the arena area.
    Some of Friday fair events include the truck and tractor pull, the super farmer contest, and the band Vocal Trash on the main stage.
    Gates will open bright and early on the last day of the county fair. The logging rodeo will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday in the arena area. Both the food booth and beer garden will open at 11 a.m. that morning. Other events for that afternoon are the BBQ battle from noon to 4 p.m. and the livestock buyer’s auction at noon at the livestock ring. Highlighting the evening hours is the mini rod and mini garden tractor pull at 7 p.m. in the arena and Michael Connors on the main stage at 7 p.m.
    Closing out the 2012 fair will be country singer Jamey Johnson, who will be hitting the stage at 9 p.m. on Saturday evening, singing favorites such as “In Color.”
    Season passes for this year’s fair are still available for $25 at all banks in Cuba, Steelville, and Bourbon, as well as Country Mart in Steelville, the Cuba Tourism Center, Shelter Insurance in Steelville, and Mace’s Supermarket in Cuba. Full-week pass prices go up to $30 on July 10-11.
    Daily prices for the 2012 Fair are as follows: Wednesday and Thursday, $15; Friday, $20; and Saturday, $25. Children four and under are free; however, all children five and up must have a ticket to enter the fairgrounds Wednesday through Saturday.
    I hope to see you at the fair!