by Alexandra Edwards

It's Springtime in Bradley County and our area Ruritan Clubs have once again come together to present what will be their 3rd Annual Foothills Country Fair. This year's four day event is slated a little later than those previous, in the hope of better weather. The fair will commence on May 18th through May 21, 2006. This traditional agricultural country fair is promised to be packed with fun for the entire family. The venue is the Tri-State Exhibition Center, located 1/4 mile West of I-75 at Exit 20. in beautiful Cleveland, Tennessee.

Loui Alford, Director of Foothills said, "This year's fair is going to be bigger and better than ever with lots of new attractions and more carnival rides."One of the new attractions will be the Echo National Lumberjack Championships, which includes log rolling, axe throwing and timed events like pole racing and tree topping. The competitors vie for national points in these event contests. Also included are bow-wow log rolling, boom racing events and chain saw carving giveaways.

Another new attraction this year will be "Kids Zone" which will take place in its own tent.

Bradley County's 4H will present "A Day at The Farm" with horse and beef shows, cultural arts competitions for quilts, crafts, canning, baking, pottery and art. Also in the Kids Zone children can enjoy a petting zoo, air toys earth tunnel, face painting, wagon rides and see scout exhibits and demonstrations. Tracy O'Connell, Foothill Country Fair advertising and promotions chairman said, "as the kids will just be getting out of school for summer, Friday May 19 between 4.p.m. to 11p.m. has been dedicated "School's Out Celebration" where all children under 18 years old, will be admitted free." Friday night will feature the local school talent contest "Strut Your Stuff," where winners of the area school's talent competitions will perform. The winners of the evening will receive cash prizes and perform as warm ups for Saturday night's big concert.

The very popular Antique Tractor Show and Pull will be on Sunday afternoon which is always a lot of fun for all ages. Many antique tractors are works of art and well worth viewing.

Who in Tennessee does not enjoy bluegrass music, especially in country fair atmosphere. Stop by at the "Tennessee Pick'n Barn" for a bite to eat or some ice cream and listen to the locals jam. Shade tree bluegrass pickers are invited to bring along the fiddle and join the fun.

There will be plenty of agricultural exhibits including 4-H horse shows, steer and poultry shows, arts and crafts exhibits, competitions and pet shows. Alford encourages local citizens to enter for the exhibits. For information on how to enter call 423-339-1989 or 476-9999.

Of course, a fair is not a fair without a queen. The chosen queen will be crowned by the reining Foothills Country Fair Queen, Morgan St. John. Other categories will include Wee-Miss (ages 5-6), Little Miss (ages 7-9), Fair Princess (ages 10-12), and Junior Fairest of the Fair (ages 13-15).

Foothills Country Fair organizers are exited about this year's entertainment line up. The main attraction will be the Saturday night concert featuring the honky-tonk rock band "Confederate

Railroad" singing some of their greatest hits. Also at the main stage will be another popular local favorite, "The Collins Brothers Band" who will perform after the winners of the Strut Your Stuff talent competition. The Pavilion Stage will be hosting local talent, so if you or someone you know has undiscovered stage talent, they are encouraged to call Gina Jacobsen at 472-0400 who will schedule a performance.

On Sunday morning starting at 10 a.m. there will be "Country Cowboy Church,"  where Knoxville cowboy John Nicley will present Faith and Horses. O'Connell said, "This is a real fun, very informal fairground church, where the cowboy will sing, pick guitar a little and talk, explaining how bringing the best out in a horse - brings out the best in us." Those coming out to the Sunday morning service events will get a $2 entrance fee discount to stay all day.
The Carnival will feature thrilling rides for all ages as well as games, arcades and lots of the typical country fair food and refreshments. cotton candy, hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecue, funnel cakes, ice cream, beans and cornbread as well as Cajun and Mexican food and can you believe...Alligator sausage will be there for the eating!

The Foothills Country Fair offers good wholesome and affordable entertainment the entire family can enjoy. Admission Thursday, Friday, and Saturday is just $5 or $3 for seniors and children 12 and under. Infants and toddlers get in free. On Sunday admission will be reduced to $3, or $1 for seniors and kids 12 and under. The fair will also be open Wednesday for "Carnival Preview Night" where admission will be free.

The Foothills Country Fair though just entering it's third year, have already won seven awards from the State Fair Association for various categories. The ten Ruritan Clubs responsible for organizing the fair are: Black Fox, Charleston, Cherokee Too, Flint Springs, Harrison, McDonald, North Lee, Oak Grove, Valley View and Westside. Director Alford said that the fair's success would not have been possible without the hundreds of generous volunteers and the help of Tri-State Exhibition Center for providing it's location. Alford also wanted to mention and thank this year's sponsors; Larry Hill Ford, The Bank of Cleveland, Homestead Lawn and Tractor and guestlinetn.com.

The Ruritan Clubs in true spirit of their motto Fellowship, Goodwill and Community Service, use the proceeds from the fair to fund community service projects, which is primarily assisting those citizens in need. The money is also given back to the community through scholarships to our local schools and colleges and also towards funding the next country fair.

Both organizers and volunteers have been meeting for eight months planning this wonderful family event, so it is sure to be a good one. Take your lawn chairs, sun hat, and sunscreen and make a whole day of it. For more information about events for the Foothills Country Fair, go to their website at www.FoothillsCountryFair.com  or you can call them (423) 339-1989 and (423) 476-9999 or call the Tri-State Exhibition Center (423) 476-9310 .

See y'all at the fair.
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