LUMBERTON — Fair workers, vendors and Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair board members worked Thursday to finish the final steps of preparation leading up to gates opening to the public at 5 p.m. on Friday.
Inspectors from the Robeson County Health Department and members of the N.C. Department of Labor also were present to survey food stands and rides to ensure they met safety standards.
“We’re all excited and all ready,” said Allen Faircloth, fair president.
A ribbon cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. officially will kick off the fair, said Faircloth, who will cut the ribbon. County, local and state officials will take part in the ceremony. Among them will be Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins, Lumberton Police Chief Michael McNeill, state Rep. Charles Graham, Lumberton Chamber of Commerce representatives and Robeson County Board of Commissioners members.
The fair will run through Oct. 5, and will feature 36 rides, about 80 food vendors, and a number of business and entertainment booths, home and agricultural exhibits, livestock shows, and arts and crafts exhibits. There will be contests ranging from pumpkin decorating to praise dance to baking.
And the fair will feature some new additions this year.
Among them are Johnny Rockett’s Cycle Circus and LEW-E’s Comedy Circus, both of which will provide daily entertainment to fair-goers. A 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit will be on-site Sunday through Tuesday. Jim Quick & Coastline will provide live entertainment during beach music night on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Back by popular demand is the Demolition Derby Bump and Run, which will take place Oct. 4 at 7 p.m.
Local entertainment will be provided at 6:30 p.m. on Friday under the BB&T Local Entertainment Tent. And at 6:30 p.m. a praise dance competition will take place at the McDonald’s Midway Stage.
On Saturday at 11 a.m., gates will open to the public at 11 a.m. on Saturday and close at midnight.
