Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
It has been all smiles this week at the 57th annual Autauga County Fair at Mac Gray Park. The fair continues through Saturday, so you still have time to take it all in.
Since the beginning on Tuesday there has been plenty of entertainment, local high school bands, dancers, exhibits, food, rides, animals and fun.
“The fair is community and home focused. We think about the families here and engaging with the community. We’re 100% volunteer. We’re not here to make profit, although we’re not against that. But we’re focused on a community and a family,” longtime Autauga County Fair goer and 13-year volunteer John Hudak said.
The fair is held in Prattville at Mac Gray Park where SonShine Amusements provide the carnival rides and entertainment as well as concessions. Hodak stated that not much of the fair has changed through the years, except the vendor and 4-H involvement, which Hodak said has gradually increased over the years.
If you are attending tonight or tomorrow here are the events:
Friday – Fairgrounds open at 5 p.m. with entrance of $5. Midway ride tickets will be sold from 6-10 p.m. Main Stage – 6 p.m. Evolve Studio of the Arts. 7 p.m. 3 Broke Girls. 8:30 p.m. – Consumption Funk.
Saturday – All Day! – Fairgrounds open at noon with entrance of $5. Midway ticket rides will be sold from 1 to 5 p.m. Armbands will be sold for $20. From 5-6 p.m. rides will be closed for a break. But the Evening Session resumes from 6-10 p.m. Only tickets will be sold for the evening session.
Jeep Vs. Bronco Fall Car Showdown! Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Calling all Jeep and Bronco fans. For Registration info call Tanner Parrish at 334-235-3426.
Main Stage– 11 a.m. Fairest of the Fair Pageant. 1:45 p.m. Kids Dance Party with DJ Tanner. 3:15 p.m. Madeline Mae. 4:45 p.m. Lacy and Todd Duo. 5:15 p.m. Kids Bicycle Drawings. 6:15 p.m. Spike Graham Orchestra. 8 p.m. Ps Tou La. Band.
In the Pecan Grove Saturday – 10:30 a.m. is the Youth Beef Cattle Show. At 12:30 p.m. there is the Youth Meat Goat Show.
During the Fair, you can register to win a TV!
Pick up a free “passport” at the Gene and Virgini Hall building for commercial vendors and ask all the booths on your passport to stamp your passport. Once you have visited each booth and your passport is full, turn it in for the Saturday evening drawing for a brand-new TV. You do not have to be present to win. You will be contacted with the information on your passport submission.
Throughout this past week there has been great attendance and plenty of things to enjoy, see and do.
Local performances from dance studios such as CJ’s Dance Factory, Mann Dance Studio and Evolve Studio of Arts have been a big part of the fair. From local high schools, the Prattville High School Band and Marbury High School Band both performed Thursday evening and local artists Raising Scouts, Kevin Thompson, Caleah and David, Anna Bones, Simply Southern Sounds, 3 Broke Girls, Custodian of Funk, Madeline Mae and the Lacy & Todd Duo have or will take part.
Other performances, demonstrations and activities consisted of Chungs Tae Kwon Do demonstration Thursday evening, and activities such as the Fairest of the Fair Pageant and the Kids Bicycle Drawings will be Saturday.
Fairgoers also have the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of animals at the Tickled Pink Petting Zoo, where animals include goats, donkeys, mini horses and even a baby cow.
Hodak said that the petting zoo is a fair attraction that he, and many other fair volunteers, visit every night, stating that it was like therapy for them at the end of the night.
“My favorite part of being a volunteer with the fair is just seeing the kids and families being happy. We laugh every night we’re volunteering, especially if we go over to the petting zoo,” Hodak said.
