Fair coordinator, Nancy Alford said, "This year the Foothills Country Fair has much to celebrate as we honor 4-H Centennial Celebration, Boy Scouts Centennial, Moon Pie 100 years, and Little Debbie 50 years."

Cultural art exhibits from adult and youth categories (grades, 4-12) will include handcrafted creations, various artwork,  baked goods and all kinds of local creativity. All entries are open to the public and need be dropped off  by Tuesday September 14th. Exhibits will be judged on Wednesday September 15th and ribbons will be awarded in all categories. Entries will be on display throughout the duration of the fair. Also on display will be winners of the Garden and Field Crop Exhibits which will include several categories in fruits, vegetables, ornamental crops, hay, haylage or silage, straw, soybeans, honey, tobacco and nursery display. Entry procedure is the same as above. For more detailed information on entries, call Kay Smith (cultural arts) or Kim Frady (garden and field crop) 423-728-7001.

Special events will be conducted by the FFA during 'Farm Day' on Thursday, September 16th from 4-9 p.m. where children 12 and under will be admitted free with paying adult.

After last year's success at the fair, the Little Pro Youth Rodeo will be back once again on September 18th-19th. The organization "promotes children ages 19 and under to learn and fulfill their dreams in rodeo while at the same time having fun." Events will be open to children in four age group categories; Pee Wees (6 and under), Buckeroos (7-10), Juniors (11-13), Seniors (14-19). The events will include; mutton bustin', ribbon roping, pole bending, chute doggin', calf roping, barrel racing, goat tying, bull riding, dummy roping, breakaway roping and team roping. New contestants need to call (423) 507-9662 on the Monday before the fair to qualify.

Also returning to the fair on Saturday September 18 at 7:00 p.m. will be the very popular Demolition Derby who invite you to "bring your car, your crew and your kin, to show off your fierce driving skills." Contestants need be over 18 years of age (16 with notarized parental medical statement) show valid driver's license, and supply their own car which is to be entered at the track 2 hours prior to the derby. Entry fee is $25 per car. Trophies and a $1,500.00 cash purse will be awarded. For rules and application forms visit: www.foothillscountryfair.org or call Frank Roberts at 1-888-361-5767.

Another popular fun filled event at country fairs is lawn mower racing and Foothills will once again present "Mow Down"  sponsored by the East Tennessee Lawn Mower Racing Association. The races will be on Friday, September 17th at 7:00 p.m.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?  What would be a traditional country fair without a beauty pageant. Fairest of the Fair pageant categories include: Wee Miss (ages 5- 6), Little Miss (ages 7-9), Fair Princess (ages 10-12), Junior Fairest of the Fair (ages 13-15) and Fairest of the Fair (ages 16-20). The pageants which will be held on the Pavilion stage at Tri State Exhibition Center will be held in two parts. The first will be held Tuesday, September 14th at 6:00 p.m. and will determine who will be be Junior Fairest of the Fair and 2010 Miss Fairest of the Fair. The second pageant for ages 5-12 will be held Thursday, September 16th. Winners of each category gets cash, sash and crown. Junior Fairest of the Fair will receive $100.00. The winner crowned 2010 Fairest of the Fair will receive $300 cash prize as well as an expense paid trip to the state pageant in Nashville. The pageants are open to all Bradley beauties as well as  to those in surrounding area. For applications and details for all beauty pageant categories, visit: www.foothillscountryfair.org.

Admission to the fair is $5 daily or you can purchase a pin for $10 from the Tri-State Exhibition Center and participating local merchants to receive admission for all 4 days. Carnival rides are extra. Parking is free each day.

For more information visit www.foothillscountryfair.org or call the Tri-State Exhibition Center (423) 476-9310.
Ruritan Clubs are rural not for profit organizations which provide a wide range of services to their communities such as providing recreational centers, sponsoring athletic programs, offering scholarships and generally helping residents in their area that are sick or in need. Their slogan is "Fellowship, Goodwill and Community Service." Back in 2004 after years of planning, the Bradley County Ruritan Clubs reached their goal in bringing back a county fair to the community. The fair's success has continued with each year getting bigger and better. Participating Ruritan clubs are: Charleston, Cherokee Too, East Hamilton County, Flint Springs, Harrison, McDonald Black Fox, North Lee, Oak Grove, Prospect, Taylors, Valley View and Westside.

All proceeds from the Foothills Country Fair go right back into the community. 

See you at the fair!


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