Anderson County Fair Celebrating tradition, community, and summer fun
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A little rain wasn’t enough to stop fairgoers from having fun on the last night of the Anderson County Fair. A sudden cloudburst made some attendees run for cover. Others embraced it as part of the adventure and moved from the midway to other parts of the fair while the rides were closed. - Tony Cox
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The Fairest of the Fair honor 97-year-old Ordean Oen as the oldest man at Anderson County Fair’s Senior Day. - Tony Cox
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The Fairest of the Fair honor 105-year-old Ethel Taylor as the oldest woman at the fair on Senior Day. - Tony Cox
Hometown fairs are almost like a rite of passage in the South.
The long-lasting ones become part of the fabric of the community.
The county fairs that have disappeared are the subject of stories about “How it used to be.”
These remaining fairs are a break from the routine from long summer days, and are welcomed with sighs of relief.
They are a confirmation of the phenomenon of hometown life.
And for sure, the Anderson County Fair is a true summer fair.
If there is a check box somewhere about what a county, summer fair should offer, then it’s covered every year in Anderson County.
But the Anderson County Fair has evolved beyond just being a fair. It’s an entertainment extravaganza with a hometown heart, a place to meet for family and friends.
Where else can agricultural and artistic hearts come together and share a deep-fried Oreo?
I’ll put your prize-winning chicken against my prize-winning sunset photo, and then we’ll have a frozen drink, then make a social media video.
Only at the fair can we escape the long days of a hot summer and actually have some fun.
The fair offers an excess of bright lights, sweet treats, and competitions of skill with the goal of capturing that stuffed bear, tiger, elephant or alien creature.
There are rides that thrill and chill, or at least make you giggle, and maybe, just maybe, make you lose that corn dog you just ate.
The fair reminds us of beauty. Fairest of the Fair competitions enforce our belief in young women at their best.
Because it’s not just a beauty pageant – It’s a testament to and about their community. The Fairest of the Fair allows these young women to bring attention to the social issues they are concerned about.
Traditions are made and live at the fair.
Andy and Brianna Alpers were married June 5, 2024, in Jamaica.
They have tons of memories from that romantic Caribbean wedding and a chance for a long life of happiness ahead of them.
This week they came to the fair.
“It’s what people do,” Andy Alpers said. “It’s part of life here.”
There is a family from Union County – some have been to the fair before and for some it
is the first time attending.
They came as a family. Some were familiar with the fair. For others it would be a new experience.
The chance to enjoy something unique together was not going to pass them by.
“We plan on having fun,” Rhonda Davis said.
Judy Gaines loves the annual “Best Six Days of Summer.”
It’s a source of pride for her.
She is the reigning champion of the “Hog Calling Contest” held during Senior Day activities at the fair.
Gaines said the seniors may get free ice cream on this day, but by gosh when you win the Hog Calling Contest, you’ve earned it.
“Be sure to say that,” she said.
This is the fair. This is what people mean when they say, “Enjoy the good life.”
