Free, live music and entertainment at The Pavilion in addition to grandstand events, Midway attractions, beer garden, rides, games, food and dinosaurs
By Randy Arrington
LURAY, Aug. 17 — Stephanie Breeden remembers the mud hitting her as she watched the tractor pull with her grandfather as young girl, and she recalls her excitement as she watched the elephant ear trailer roll into the fairgrounds while checking in baked goods and crafts with her grandmother. Breeden has followed in the footsteps of her grandfather and her father, as the current president of the Page Valley Fair Association. Now, she’s looking over final details to prepare for next week’s 72nd annual Page Valley Agricultural and Industrial Fair.
“The fair is the community… it belongs to the community,” Breeden said. “So much hard work goes into it, volunteer work… not just the fair board, but all community partners… from non-profits who provide food or help park cars, to FFA and 4-H members who spend hours of work on their projects, to buyers that help that program. It is a time to come together every year… to get together with people you haven’t seen for a while.”
Exhibits will be judged, ribbons will be awarded, livestock will be sold, and a whole lot of fun will be had by all — not matter your choice of entertainment.
The headliner on Saturday night, Aug. 24 is Ian Munsick. The Wyoming native has released his second album “White Buffalo”, which features 18 tracks that “paint a stampeding, spirited portrait of the American West including hard-working anthems, mountain-time odes to family, and unfiltered tales of romance.”
Munsick performs at the grandstand at 7 p.m. on Saturday, as he is the only act that will require an additional ticket — $30 grandstand, $40 track seating. All other grandstand events during the week are free and included with the price of admission at the gate.
“It’s a time for friendship and fellowship…It’s a time to admire the work of neighbors and friends; and it’s a time-honored community tradition,” Breeden added.
It’s also a time to smash up some cars.
Friday night’s Demolition Derby has become a fan favorite at the grandstand year after year.
“I think it’s thrilling and exciting,” Breeden said, trying to explain the allure around one of the fair’s biggest draws. “Some guys work year-round on these things, and they are very competitive.”
Getting back to its rodeo roots, the Page Valley Fair will feature bull riding at its best with True Grit Rodeo. The rodeo entertainment company specializes in bull riding, barrel racing, bull fighting, mini bulls and mutton busting. Thursday night’s grandstand event begins at 7 p.m.
Grandstand events kick off Tuesday and Wednesday with Truck and Tractor Pulls each night. All grandstand events (except Ian Munsick) are free and included in gate admission — $10 adults, $5 children (6-12) daily, children under 6 free.
Season gate passes may be purchased for $35 for adults and $20 for children. Armbands for carnival rides will be sold by Snyder’s Amusements for $25 daily, and $18 on Kid’s Night – Monday, Aug. 19. On that evening, gate admission will be free for school-aged children, senior citizens, military veterans, law enforcement, and first responders (fire and EMS).
There will also be an entire week’s worth of free entertainment lined up at The Pavilion, including a Womanless Beauty Pageant on Monday at 7 p.m.; live music by Will Reid at 6 p.m. on Tuesday; the Dry River Band takes the stage at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday; live music by County Line at 7 p.m. on Thursday; and a final performance by Josh Davidson starting at 7 p.m. Friday.
“We are going to hatch a dinosaur at the fair,” Breeden said, promoting “Dinosaurs Live” — one of the acts that will be featured in the midway during the week. “We’ve been caring for the eggs all year, and they are ready to hatch next week.”
Another popular spot that’s been added to the fairgrounds in recent years is the Beer Garden, open Wednesday through Saturday evenings. The hours are 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday, and 7 to 11 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Admission is $20.
The fair president said last week that more 4-H and FFA (Future Farmers of America) kids are participating in the Page Valley Fair than ever before — nearing 100. Of those, half are “her kids” as members of the Page County Junior Stockmen club she organizes, while the other half “belong to” Josh Parlett, who coordinates the Page County Senior Livestock club.
Breeden says the overall health of the fair is good, with attendance rising in recent years. She estimates next week’s fair could see up to 5,000 visitors each day, Monday through Thursday, and upwards of 10,000 on Friday and Saturday. That is, unless it rains — which could drive attendance to less than 500.
Each year, the Page Valley Fair takes out rain insurance, costing more than $6,000. Liability insurance is another $15,000. Breeden says many in the community do not understand the amount of money, year-round planning and “hundreds of volunteers” it takes to put on the six-day production that is expected to draw more than 40,000 people to the former wheat fields along Collins Avenue.
“The fair is here for the community,” Breeden said. “At the heart of a county fair is for the community to come together.”
Wristbands for rides are $25 daily, except Kid’s Night on Monday ($18).
SUNDAY, AUGUST 18
7:30 a.m.—4-H/FFA Short Leg Weigh In
2-5 p.m. — Community Gospel Sing at The Pavilion
4-6 p.m. — Food Pantry Bingo Supporting Page One
MONDAY, AUGUST 19
Kid’s Night offers free admission to school-aged children, as well as senior citizens over 60, military personnel (active, retired and veterans), and first responders, AND… $7 off ride wristbands.
9 a.m.-3 p.m. — adult exhibits entered.
10 a.m. — Beef Showmanship / Heifer Show and Market Show
7-9 p.m. — Womanless Beauty Pageant at The Pavilion
Ed’s Dinosaurs Live, two shows per night, midway.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 20
9 a.m. — 4-H/FFA Swine Showmanship / Market Hog Show
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