It’s back.

The midway is returning to the Floyd County 4-H Fair this week, and organizers believe it will give the fair a needed boost.

“We think it will be a big draw,” said Keith Redden, president of the 4-H Corp. Board. “It’s a good deal for us.”

Redden said an amusement company out of Florida wanted to get into the area, which made the midway affordable this year.

Jerene Gilliam, extension educator for 4-H youth development in Floyd County, said the midway is a good way to draw kids into the fair and hopefully show them what 4-H has to offer.

“I think that will help the fair a lot,” she said.

Gilliam said getting as many adults and kids to the fair helps promote 4-H and dispel all the myths associated with the organization.

“We want people to realize that you don’t have to live on a farm to be involved in 4-H,” Gilliam said. “There are so many other programs for kids to get involved in.”

The annual fair begins at 4 p.m. Monday and runs through Saturday. The highlight of the first night will be the crowning of the 2009 queen.

Other fair favorites will return this year, including the donkey races, demolition derby and the high-diving pigs. The midway opens at 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday.

Redden said organizers plan the entire year for the fair. He said weather — which is expected to be good next week — always plays a factor in attendance.

“Demos are a real popular event for us and I think we are going to have 30 or 40 trucks involved in the mud drags,” said Redden, who has been involved in the 4-H for 21 years.

Those attending shows at the 4-H arena will be sitting on new bleachers, thanks to a recent grant from the Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County.

While the midway, demos and high-diving pigs are important draws, the main focus of the fair is for 4-H kids to show animals and other projects they have been preparing all year. Redden said there is more interest in 4-H this year, and he thinks Gilliam — who has been on the job since March — has been instrumental in the growth.

“I think this year we have had more involvement than the last five years,” he said. “I think parents realize the programs we offer help keep their kids away from the bad stuff they can get into.”

Gilliam said many volunteers have worked hard planning for the fair and working with the kids during the year.

“Volunteers work hard getting new kids involved in projects and with animals,” she said. “We just have to get the word out, and the fair gives us that opportunity.”

The Floyd County Fair dates back to 1858, and was first held at the current fairgrounds along Green Valley Road in 1953. The fair is the largest opportunity for the Floyd County 4-H Corp. Board to raise funds.

The 4-H Fair does not receive county funding.



••••••••••



2009 Fair Schedule



• Playland Amusements’ ride tickets and armbands are available daily for $15; midway opens at 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday.

• High-diving racing pigs perform each night on the midway.



MONDAY

• American Red Cross Mobile Blood Drive, Newlin Hall, 6 to 10 p.m.

• 4-H Rabbit Show, Pig Barn, 4 p.m.

• 4-H Poultry Show, Pig Barn, 6 p.m.

• 4-H Horse & Pony Contest, Arena, 6 p.m.

• Special Presentations, Main Stage, 6 to 6:45 p.m.

• 4-H Queen Pageant, Main Stage, 7 to 9 p.m.

• Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Hot Wing Contest, Main Stage, 9 to 9:15 p.m.

• Queen & Court Photos, Newlin Hall, 9 to 10 p.m.



TUESDAY

• Horse & Pony Presentations, Main Stage, 5:45 to 6:15 p.m.

• Dance Works, Main Stage, 6:15 to 7 p.m.

• Horse & Pony Costume Contest, Arena, 6 p.m.

• 4-H Dessert Auction, Main Stage, 7 to 8:20 p.m.

• 4-H Sheep Show, Pig Barn, 6 p.m.

• Amazing Glaze Eating Contest, Main Stage, 8:20 to 8:30 p.m.

• Invitation To Dance, Main Stage, 8:30 to 9 p.m.

• 4-H Swine Show, Pig Barn, 8 p.m.

• DJ Gene, Main Stage, 9 p.m.



WEDNESDAY

(Mayor’s Night)

• 4-H Beef Show, Show Ring, 6 p.m.

• Back’s Karate For Kids, Main Stage, 6 to 6:45 p.m.

• Free Kids Activities & Contests, Country Clover Booth

• 4-H Goat Show, Pig Barn, 7:30 p.m.

• Donkey Races, Arena, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

• 4-H Fashion Revue, Main Stage, 7 to 8 p.m.

• Hot Dog Eating Contest, Main Stage, 8 to 8:15 p.m.

• All Star Gymnastics, Main Stage, 8:30 to 9:15



THURSDAY

(Farm Bureau Night At The Fair, Free Hayride and Storytelling)

• Girl Talk [Band], Main Stage, 6 to 6:30 p.m.

• G Force [Band], Main Stage, 6:45 to 7:15 p.m.

• Pie Eating Contest, Main Stage, 7:15 to 7:30 p.m.

• 4-H Livestock Auction, Pig Barn, 7 p.m.

• 1st Impressions [Band], Main Stage, 7:30 to 8 p.m.

• Rand [Band], Main Stage, 8 to 8:15 p.m.

• On The Edge [Band], Main Stage, 8:15 to 9 p.m.



FRIDAY

• On The Brink [Band], Main Stage, 6 to 6:30 p.m.

• Lighting [Band], Main Stage, 6:30 to 7 p.m.

• T.O.B. [That One Band], Main Stage, 7 to 8 p.m.

• T.W.S.S. [That’s What She Said Band], Main Stage, 8 to 9 p.m.

• Demolition Derby, Arena, 8 p.m.

• Exit 119 [Band], Main Stage, 9 to 10 p.m.



SATURDAY

• Mud Drags, Arena, 5 p.m.

• Platinum [Band], 6 to 6:30 p.m.

• Livers [Band], Main Stage, 6:30 to 7 p.m.

• Jimmy G And The Sidewinders [Band], Main Stage, 7 to 8 p.m.

• Flash Bak [Band], Main Stage, 8 to 9 p.m.

• Identity Crisis [Band], 9 to 10 p.m.