01Cover8 30What a great way to close out the summer season: The Cumberland County Fair is 10 days of food, fun and entertainment. It starts Sept. 1 and runs through Sept. 10 at the Crown Complex.

There will be plenty of rides and a variety of music, but the fair is about more than that. This event celebrates the history and legacy of the agricultural communities in Cumberland County. It showcases the diversity of local arts and crafts and promotes a safe setting for fun, healthy family entertainment including music, motor sports and animals. It’s an inviting environment of friendly competition for all ages. The theme this year is Country Days and American Ways.

“Big Rock Amusements is one of the best carnival companies in the industry today, and we’re excited to continue to partner with them here in Cumberland County,” Cumberland County Fair Manager Hubert Bullard said. “All their rides have the latest LED light packages and are regularly added to with new equipment.”

Big Rock currently partners with Wilson, Lumberton and Sanford fairs in North Carolina. Midway games, rides, food and exhibits are a given every day from open to close, but there are also special activities and events that run throughout the fair. There will be pony rides, a baby chick display, a beer garden for the adults, helicopter rides, World War II military equipment on display, toddler driving school, home, craft and agricultural exhibits and more throughout the week.

Friday, Sept. 1 The gates open at 5 p.m., and admission is free all evening — although it does cost to ride the rides. Fun repeat events that have
multiple times almost every day of the fair include: the petting farm, which is sponsored by Lumbee River EMC; the Close Encounter of the Exotic Kind Show, which is sponsored by Cumulus Radio Group; a bike stunt show; and Bohn’s Family Entertainment, which includes a Magic Comedy Show, FARMily Feud and a Survivor Family Show. There will also be various forms of entertainment on the Up & Coming Weekly Stage every day of the fair. On Friday, attendees can also watch Fair Queen Pageants rehearsals.

Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 2-3 Gates open at 1 p.m. Admission is $7 on Saturday. Sunday is Staycation Student Day. Bring your student ID and get $4 off admission.  Enjoy the Fair Queen Pageants on Saturday in addition to all of the repeat events on both days.

Monday, Sept. 4 On Labor Day, enjoy the $10 Pay One Price Special from the time the gates open at 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. The Pay One Price Special includes free, unlimited carnival rides once you’ve paid for admission, unlike previous days of the fair.

Apply the same deal but for $15 after 5 p.m. In addition to the repeat events, the Junior Laying Hen Show will take place in Expo C.

Tuesday, Sept. 5 Admission is again Pay One Price, with $15 allowing for unlimited rides. Radio station WCCG 104.5 will be at the fair, and don’t miss the Junior Market Lamb Show in addition to the repeat events.

Wednesday, Sept. 6 Pay One Price for $15 on one of the fair’s busiest days. In addition to the repeat events, FOXY 99 will be at the Crown. Agricultural events include the Little “Ewe” Jump Start Livestock Clinic; Swine, Feeder Calf and Steer Show; and Fayetteville Area Youth Livestock Auction Sale, which is sponsored by Cumberland County Farm Bureau and Cumberland County Livestock Association.

Thursday, Sept. 7 Don’t miss the Senior Expo, which kicks off at 1 p.m. and grants free admission to those 50 and older until 5 p.m. Don Chase from WKML 95.7 radio will be the master of ceremonies. The schedule of events is: 

• 1 p.m. Hope Mills Senior Line Dancers

• 1:30 p.m. Tokay Rockers Senior Line Dancers

• 1:45 p.m. Tokay Choral Group

• 2 p.m. Ms. Ortiz’s Line Dancers

• 2:30 p.m. Eva’s Zumba

• 3 p.m. 82 nd All-American Airborne Chorus

For guests under 50, the $15 admission fee includes all rides and repeat events. At 6:30 p.m., don’t miss WUKS Throwback Thursday. The Junior Meat Goat Show is also scheduled for Sept. 7, as well as Ring Wars Carolina Wrestling.

Friday, Sept. 8 Gates open at 5 p.m. Admission costs $7. Unlimited ride wristbands are available. Military and emergency services, to include law enforcement, firefighters and EMS/rescue personnel get in free if they are in uniform or with ID.

Friends and family pay regular admission. But if you bring 3 cans of non-perishable food items or pet food, get $2 off admission . The donations will go to Small Paws, Big Heart Food Drive for people and pets. In addition to the repeat events, there will be a Junior Beer Heifer Show.

Saturday, Sept. 9 WKML sponsors Country Night, adding great music to the fair’s repeat events.

Sunday, Sept. 10 Attend church services at 10:15 a.m. at the fairgrounds. After that, it’s Faith and Family Day at the fair. Bring a church bulletin (one per person) and get $2 off admission from 1-3 p.m. Don’t miss your last chance to check out the petting farm, bike stunt show, Close Encounters of the Exotic Kind, Bohn’s Family Entertainment and Up & Coming Weekly Entertainment Stage.

The Crown Complex is located at 1960 Coliseum Dr. Find out more at cumberlandcountyfair.org.

 

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