The best part of the summer season is right around the corner, fair season. Are you ready for the return of throttling of tractors, the smell of corn dogs and kids screaming gleefully on the Tilt-A-Whirl? Well, buckle up, because the 100th Annual South Mountain Fair promises to exceed high expectations. The fair opens this year on July 26 and runs through July 30.
South Mountain Fair has returned in full force in time to celebrate its centennial anniversary this season. Patrons can expect a new breath of enthusiasm this year with five days of festivities.
The Fair was cancelled in 2020 and held in 2021, albeit with an abundance of caution and considerably less zeal, according to coordinator Joanne Irvin.
"I don't think most people realize how much work and how many hours goes into preparing for the Fair and the work doesn't end on the last day of the Fair either. We work at it all year. There is always something that needs to be repaired or painted or mowed or cleaned. The average person doesn't see all of those things, but they all need to be taken care of throughout the year and not just Fair week. In 2020 when the Fair and all of our other rentals were cancelled, those things still had to be done. The grounds had to be mowed. We still had to pay the electric and phone bills even without any income," she said.
"This year is going much smoother I think, and we are excited to celebrate our 100th year. It wasn't a happy time, but we made it through it and I'm glad we did. Maybe that's why we're looking forward to celebrating our 100th year. We made it," Irvin said.
The South Mountain Fair is known far and wide for its involvement with agriculture students and the 100th Annual South Mountain Fair is no exception. There will be ample opportunities for children to be acknowledged for their personal efforts ranging from hobby interests to animal husbandry, for local and national merchants to show off their wares, and for community members from far and wide to come together for an evening full great food, entertainment, and fun.
The fair began in 1922 and continued each year until 1930, when it was cancelled that year because of a drought. The annual event picked up again in 1931 and continued until 1941, when it was again cancelled, this time due to a polio epidemic, then World War II, according to the South Mountain Fair Association. The fair was resumed in 1948 and has been held every year since then.
One of the highlights of the fair is 4-H Day livestock judging, which will take palace all week long. Other activities include mechanical bull rides, chainsaw carving shows, and a fireworks display on July 28. Exhibit buildings will be open every day for the public. Exhibits include: a photography exhibit; baked goods, wine, vegetables, and fruit exhibits; crafts and art pieces of all kinds; as well as 4H projects.
For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit www.southmountainfair.com.
