It”s fair time! The Columbus Fair is a community event with a long history of showcasing farm and home products. This year”s fair at the Columbus Fairgrounds on Highway 69 South begins Tuesday, Sept.15, and runs through Saturday, Sept. 19. Youth groups such as Future Farmers of America and 4-H Clubs, as well as adult groups in the area, exhibit their handmade or homegrown items which are judged for ribbon placement.
Everything from art, handcrafts, sewing and quilting, photography, woodcrafts, flowers, plants, vegetables, crops and more are eligible and on exhibit.
“The purpose of the fair is to display these items,” said Carolyn Burns, secretary and treasurer of the non-profit Columbus Fair Association. “The admission fee covers awards to the ribbon winners.”
Anyone in Lowndes County can participate, but items for judging must be submitted Monday, Sept. 14, between noon and 6 p.m. For information on entering items, call the Lowndes County Co-operative Extension Office at 662-328-2111. When the gates open Tuesday at 5 p.m., these exhibits will be open for viewing, with prize ribbons in place.
The merchant”s building will also feature tractors and other farm equipment.
The James Gang will provide the carnival midway with many favorite rides for the young and young-at-heart. They also have a large selection of your favorite foods, from candy apples to corndogs and more.
Flea market, too
A large community-wide flea market will be open to anyone who has items to sell — from arts and crafts to treasures and trash — on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Spaces are available for a $10 fee. For more information on the flea market, call 662-435-2368.
The fair will be open from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. until midnight Saturday. Admission is $2 per person; parking is free.
Local impact
“The fair contributes to the economy,” said Burns. “The carnival spends a lot of money here for their supplies and especially for gasoline for their generators to power the amusements. Ticket sellers and other workers are locals hired for the event.”
The first fair in Columbus was held in 1859, held on fairgrounds in North Columbus, Burns stated. It later moved to Propst Park. The current fairgrounds were purchased in 1954 and are used for other annual events such as Roast-n-Boast, circuses, concerts and auctions.
The association president and general manager is R.G. (Bob) Burns. Other board members include Dexter Cochran, Robert Loftis, Son Brown, Jane Jordan and Sam Kaye.
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