13th Annual Summertime Tradition to Celebrate “Country Pride, County Wide”
The Williamson County Fair Board recently selected the theme “Country Pride, County Wide” for this year’s nine days of fun, returning August 4-12. Complete with animals, rides and ribbons, the 13th annual event will celebrate all that Williamson County has to offer, while incorporating several new additions.
Since the Fair’s inception in 2005, the grounds of the Williamson County AgEXPO have welcomed more than 200,000 attendees each year with a number of educational exhibits, agricultural competitions and events, state of the art midway attractions, games, live entertainment, traditional fare and more. The non-profit organization is led by the Williamson County Fair Board, which is comprised of 29 area leaders.
“We are so excited to finally reveal the Country Pride, County Wide theme, which captures the spirit of our Fair,” said Rogers Anderson, Williamson County Fair Chairman. “Not only are we proud of our great country, but we are also proud of our county and its agricultural legacy, and we want this year’s Fair to celebrate both.”
In keeping with the Americana theme, the Fair is asking residents to submit any Williamson County veteran’s name–living or deceased– to be included on a commemorative wall that will be on display during the nine day event. These names can be submitted to publicity@williamsoncountyfair.org on or before June 1, 2017.
The Quilt Block Challenge will incorporate a red, white and blue color scheme. Contestants will purchase a kit for $5, which includes specific fabrics that must be used to construct the quilt block. The blocks will be displayed during the Fair, and visitors will vote on their favorite. After the Fair, all they will be assembled into a quilt that will be raffled off at next year’s event. Kits are available now at The Quilting Squares Quilt Shop.
New free entertainment lined up for this year’s event includes RoboCars,’ a strolling entertainment act of live transformers that visitors will love. The Wild Science Exhibit on the Arena Floor will showcase interactive science projects, while the new 4-H and Youth Village will feature hands-on activities for kids– big and small– as well as highlight the talents of local youth in various competitive exhibits.
“We are always very intentional about selecting acts that appeal to fairgoers of all ages,” said Diane Giddens, entertainment chair. “The shows, attractions and agriculture exhibits are staples that keep patrons coming each August, but we like to bring in exciting new additions each year.”
One notable change to the Fair will be the new venue for the pageant competitions. This year, the pageants will be held at the new Performing Arts Center at Academy Park– located at 114 Granbury Street– on Sunday, August 6th. In addition to the new venue, the Williamson County Fair will be awarding a $250 savings bond this year to each titleholder.ξξ Contestants must submit their entry form and fees on or before August 2, 2017.
A $3 donation is suggested at the door of the pageants, benefiting Waves, Inc., and their early childhood education program. For more information on pageants, please contact Pageant Chair Suzanne Ware at (615) 394-1135 or by email at willifairpageant@yahoo.com.
The Williamson County Fair has been recognized among the best anywhere by its peers at the state and international levels, with last year’s Barnyard Mardi Gras event winning several first and second place awards in the communications and agriculture divisions from the Tennessee Association of Fairs and the International Association of Fairs and Expos.
Supported by over 1,800 volunteers, sponsors, county residents and surrounding communities, the Fair has grown each summer and continues to be a beacon for agricultural education in Williamson County. For more information, visit www.WilliamsonCountyFair.org.
The 2017 Williamson County Fair will be held August 4th through 12th at the Williamson County Agricultural EXPO Park, 4215 Long Lane, Franklin, Tennessee 37064.
