Published: July 12, 2008 07:57 pm      

Pulaski County fair begins this weekend

Somerset — The time of pageants, truck and tractor pulls, carnival rides and funnel cakes is quickly approaching.

The Pulaski County fair is scheduled to begin Saturday, July 19, and run through Saturday, July 26, and Harold Cash, one of the organizers, said he’s expecting as big a crowd this year as they see every summer.

“Usually, with the weather in good shape, we usually see 15,000 to 20,000 people for the week,” Cash said.

That Saturday will kick off with the Second Annual Corn Hole Tournament, followed by a first-time Texas Hold’em tournament later in the day.

The Somerset Cheerleaders Booster Club is hosting the poker tournament, which has a $100 buy-in for anyone who wants to participate.

The Corn Hole Tournament is being brought back after a successful first year.

“It surprised us how popular (the Corn Hole Tournament) was,” Cash said.

Cash said people should expect many of the same popular attractions as they’ve seen in the past once the rides open up and the other events kick off on Monday, July 21.

“We’ve got some popular events,” he said. “They’re events that everybody has enjoyed before.”

Monday night will feature the Miss Pulaski County Fair pageant, the Miss Pre-Teen pageant and the Pretty Baby Contest. The Little Miss and Mr. pageant and the Miss Teen pageant will take place on Tuesday night.

Cash said pageant entry forms are available at the fair office. Pageant contestants must reside in Pulaski County.

“It’s the week before (the fair starts) when it gets really hectic,” he said about people calling about entering the events.

The beef cattle show is also scheduled for Tuesday evening.

Wednesday night will feature the small-car demolition derby by D & D Promotions, and the big-car demolition will be featured Friday evening.

Cash said the event became so popular that it became necessary to divide the event up into two categories.

“That has grown every year,” he said.

The “Legends of Wrestling” event will take place on Thursday evening. Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, Cowboy Bob Orton, Luke from the Bushwhackers, Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, Chris “Masterlock” Masters, Eugene, Disco Inferno and several others are scheduled to appear.

Limited ringside seats will be available for an additional cost weather permitting.

The agricultural exhibits for 4-H and open class will begin on Thursday evening and run through Saturday, July 26. Registration for those exhibits will be held on Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

Myer’s International Midway will set up in the carnival area again, and rides will begin operating from Monday through Saturday beginning at 6 p.m. each evening.

The fair will close Saturday evening with the KTPA sanctioned truck and tractor pull with a newly-added Class C division.

Cash said he hopes people will enjoy this summer’s fair as much as in past years.

“If anybody has a comment, we’re willing to listen to it because it’s their (the public’s) fair,” he said.

Admission into the fair is $8 each night. Rides and attractions in the main arena are free after admission. For more information, contact the fair office at 679-7175 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.