BY CINDY SCHROEDER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
INDEPENDENCE --
Some fairs are known for their horse shows. Others are known for their tractor pulls or livestock auctions.
But at the Kenton County Fair and Horse Show, it's the "smoke and noise" -- otherwise known as demolition derbies -- that pack them in, a longtime fair volunteer said.
"It's real funny how these fairs take on a life of their own," said Bill Durr, vice president of the Kenton County Fair Board. "Boone County is known for its horses and livestock. Alexandria has the big horse show. But Kenton County likes the mechanical stuff. They go for all that smoke and noise and crashing."
|
IF YOU GO
|
What: The Kenton County Fair and Horse Show.
When: Monday through Saturday.
Where: Kenton County Fairgrounds, Taylor Mill Road and Harris Pike (Ky. 16), Independence.
Admission: $6 a person. Admission includes rides and parking.
Information: 356-3738.
|
This year, Kenton County Fair-goers will get two chances to take in demolition derbies after the fair opens Monday.The first one, at 8 p.m. Monday, will feature minicars, while Tuesday's demolition derby, also at 8 p.m., will pit drivers of full-size cars against one another.
"When you get something that works, you tend to stay with it," Mr. Durr said. "For us, the biggest thing we have going is that demolition derby."
Car crashes aren't the only draw, however.
Last year, the fair's baby show and pageants for children drew 274 entries, said volunteer Barbara Eddins.
This year, there are 150 entries for various baby shows Saturday and other competitions for older children Wednesday night.
Because of last year's heat, fair organizers have eliminated the category for babies from birth to 6 months. However, there's a new Miss Pre-Teen Category for 11- and 12-year-old girls, Ms. Eddins said.
The fair also will feature a Family Fun Barnyard Night, starting at 5:30 p.m. Friday, with a stick-horse race and a greased-pig and chicken rodeo contest for children.
"We tried it on a limited basis last year, and it proved quite popular; so we're getting a little bigger this year," Mr. Durr said. The auction of championship 4-H livestock, set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, is another popular feature, Mr. Durr said.
"With so many participants, you get a lot of grandmothers and grandfathers coming in to see the kids," he said. "All together, we'll probably sell about 40 animals that night."
While Kenton County's fair traditionally has been held the second week in August, this year it has been moved up to avoid earlier school starting dates and conflicts with the Kentucky State Fair, which opens in mid-August.
"We want to get away from the state fair," Mr. Durr said. "Folks want to show on the local level before they go to the state competition."
Other upcoming Northern Kentucky fairs include the Boone County 4-H and Utopia Fair, Aug. 3-8 at the Boone County Fairgrounds in Burlington. In Campbell County, the Alexandria Fair and Horse Show will run Sept. 3-7, with a parade through Alexandria Sept. 2.
