Whitley County Fair set for July 12-15

Next week, the Annual Whitley County Fair will make its return to the fairgrounds, located off of Stark Road in Williamsburg. This year’s fair will feature a full slate of fun and exciting events, beginning on Wednesday, July 12.

On July 12, the fair is scheduled to kick off with a special sensory day event that will include inflatables, a petting zoo, hay rides, face painting and a dunking booth. Fair Board Secretary Connie Davis explained that this new addition to the fair will last from noon-3 p.m. on opening day, and will be “less chaotic,” meaning it will not include many of the loud noises and/or flashing lights that festival goers will get to experience for the remainder of the week.

The Whitley County Fair’s sensory day activities will not be open for general admission, but the previously mentioned attractions will still be available once the gates open to the public beginning at 5 p.m. next Wednesday.

The inflatables to be set up at the fairgrounds include a 37-foot tall waterslide, as well as a 40×40-foot bounce house made to look like the Millenium Falcon from the uber-popular Star Wars film series.

Live Music

Several live musical acts will be taking the stage during this year’s Whitley County Fair, starting with D-Ray to DJ, who will be helping get the festivities kicked off on the evening of July 12. Straight Creek is scheduled to perform on the main stage the following day at 7 p.m., and Friday will feature two bands – Three Years Apart, who will go on at 5 p.m., and John David Mountjoy and the Street Cats, who will follow at approximately 7 p.m.

Justin Taylor and Lonely Ridge will help wrap up this year’s fair when they take the stage on Saturday, July 15, at 7 p.m.

Canning, Quilting, and Crafting

Davis said that all Whitley County specialty food and craft vendors are invited to come and set up a booth at the fair for free, and that vendors from outside the county are also welcome, but there will be a $50 set-up fee for non-locals.

Although canning and quilting contests will not be a part of this year’s festivities, Davis said that the fair board is working to bring that back next year. As for this year, she said that she hopes to see a large group of canners, crafters and quilters showing up to show and/or sell their unique creations.

The deadline to reserve booth space at the fair is quickly approaching, so anyone interested in finding out more should not delay in contacting Davis at (606) 549-6000. She asks that all inquiries be made by Monday, July 10.

Sign-Ups Underway for Fair Pageants

This year’s Whitley County Fair pageants are scheduled to take place at the Williamsburg Tourism and Convention Center this Friday and Saturday, July 7-8.

Pageant Director Michele Veach Calton said that divisions will include babies (ages 0-4), Little Mister and Little Miss (ages 5-7), pre-teen (8-12), teen (13-15) and Miss Whitley County Fair (16-21). Winners in each category, except for babies, can advance to state level competitions, with Miss Fair qualifying to compete at the Kentucky State Fair later this year.

The Miss Whitley County Fair pageant will take place on Friday, July 7, at 7 p.m. at the Tourism Center in Williamsburg. The babies division will take the stage the following morning at 11 a.m., with the Little Miss and Little Mister, pre-teen and teen competitions set to kick off Saturday at about 3 p.m.

In addition to qualifying for the State Fair, this year’s Miss Whitley County Fair will also receive a scholarship to the University of the Cumberlands, as well as $500 that can go to a school of their choice, courtesy of Pepsi.

The UC scholarship will also be offered to a special Miss Whitley County winner, which will be available only to local entrants. While this title will not qualify the recipient to compete at the State Fair, it will allow her to compete on the state level as part of the Kentucky Festival Circuit.

The News Journal will provide coverage from this year’s fair pageants inside the July 12 edition, and we will be on hand at the fair to cover appearances made by this year’s title winner(s).

Registration for the pageants is ongoing, and will continue up to the day of the events. Registration cost is $50 for the Miss Fair pageant, and $45 for babies-through-teen. Calton asked to be messaged on Facebook to receive additional information.

3-Day Passes on Sale NOW

Special 3-day passes to the 2023 Whitley County Fair went on sale on July 1, and are available at the Judge Executive’s office in Williamsburg. They will also be available at the fairgrounds on opening day.

Cost for 3-day passes are $25 for ages 12 and up, or $10 for ages 6-11.

Entry for a single day will be $10 at the gate for ages 12 and up, and $5 for ages 6-11. Kids 5 and under will be admitted to the fair free of charge.