CULLMAN, Ala. – The sparkling lights of the midway will soon return when the 65th Cullman County Fair opens Thursday, Oct. 3, bringing with it thrilling rides, exciting entertainment, fun games, homemade arts and crafts, agricultural exhibits and all those yummy funnel cakes and candy apples that make the Cullman County Fair one of the best in Alabama. The 2019 Cullman County Fair Parade will take place this Saturday, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m. The parade will follow U.S. Highway 31 from First Baptist Church to McGriff Tire.
Running through Saturday, Oct. 12, the fair is put on by the Cullman Lions Club. This year’s opening ceremony will be Thursday, Oct. 3 at 5 p.m.
The Cullman Lions Club has invited Kissel Entertainment to provide rides and games for the second year.
Lion Jerry Bonner said at the close of last year’s fair, “They are heads and shoulders above the previous vendors we have used. Their personnel were disciplined, knowledgeable, polite and worked well with people at the fair.”
New to this year’s fair will be the Farmer Olympics, daily lion and tiger shows and a motorcycle show. The spelling bee will return to the Coca-Cola stage, as well as the Tiny and Petite Fair Princess Pageants, the Little, Junior and Teen Fair Princess Pageants and the Miss Cullman County Fair Queen Pageant.
“We try to change it up every year, so this year we will have the lion and tiger show coming,” said Bonner. “Last year we had the pumpkin painting and carving contest and we are doing that again this year.”
He added, “We have what they are calling the Farmer Olympics and they will be doing that on the evening of the last Friday. The motorcycle show will be held on the final Saturday. We will have the dog show at the arena again, too.”
Last year, the Lions Club upgraded the fairgrounds by paving areas to improve wheelchair accessibility. This year, a new security system has been installed. Cameras are in place to better observe and keep people safe while they are enjoying the fair.
Another change this year is the name of the fair passes. Previously called MegaPasses, the newly-named All-in-One Passes are $22 and include admission and unlimited rides. The passes can be purchased at the fair office and at all Peoples Bank locations. All-in-One Pass sales end at noon Oct. 3.
For those without an All-in-One Pass, admission is $7 and ride tickets are sold separately. For children 9 and younger, admission is free.
See more about this year’s rides and ticket prices at www.cullmanfair.org/tickets-rides.
Special events
Thursday, Oct. 3
- 5 p.m. Opening Ceremony
- 7-9 p.m. Tiny and Petite Fair Princess Pageants in the Coca-Cola Theatre
Monday, Oct. 7
- noon-5 p.m. Student Day- free admission for all Cullman students (city, county, private, homeschool)- includes Student Day Pumpkin Contest from noon-3 p.m. in the Agricultural Building. Student Day is also open to college students.
- 7-9:30 p.m. Little Fair Princess Pageant in the Coca-Cola Theatre
Tuesday, Oct. 8
- 7-9 p.m. Miss Cullman County Fair Queen Pageant in the Coca-Cola Theatre
Wednesday, Oct. 9
- 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Comfort Care Senior Day- free admission and events for senior citizens. Bonner expects the carousel and Ferris wheel to be open, as well as concessions and possibly games. Entertainment for Senior Day will be provided in the Coca-Cola Theatre.
- 6 p.m. Cullman Lions Club Spelling Bee in the Coca-Cola Theatre
Thursday, Oct. 10
- 7-9:30 p.m. Junior and Teen Fair Princess Pageants in the Coca-Cola Theatre
Friday, Oct. 11
- 5-7 p.m. Farmer Olympics in the Tri Green Arena
Saturday, Oct. 12
- 3-6 p.m. Motorcycle Show in the Coca-Cola Theatre
See the full fair calendar at www.cullmanfair.org/calendar.
The Cullman County Fairgrounds are located at 1501 Sportsman Lake Road NW, Cullman. For more information, visit www.cullmanfair.org.
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