The Wilson County Fair not only had the strength to bring in Tennessee's state fair as a partner in 2021, it also has roots to the former Opryland USA theme park that closed at the end of 1997.
The Wilson County – Tennessee State Fair has drawn well over 700,000 people to the James E. Ward Agricultural Center in Lebanon for two straight years as the collaboration has increased funding and improved facilities.. The 2022 fair drew 776,195. Last year’s fair brought in 739,315.
But before the collaboration, the Wilson County Fair had long established itself as the standard for county fairs in the state, and it was considered one of the best in the country, already regularly approaching or surpassing 500,000 in attendance for years.
“We realized we had to compete with (Opryland),” Wilson County Promotions President Randall Clemons said. “We started offering lots of entertainment stages and music stages. We started operating differently than most fairs and started offering riding all rides unlimited for a special ticket. We started looking at larger fairs and what they offered.”
The fair built up a volunteer army that now stands at more than 2,000.
Fiddlers Grove Historic Village, which offers the feel of an old-timey community with demonstrations and exhibits, has also been a difference maker, Clemons said.
Here is a look at this year’s Wilson County – Tennessee State Fair.
Information and registrations for different events and activities is available at www.wilsoncountytnstatefair.com/.
When and where
When: Aug. 15-24
Where: James E. Ward Agricultural Center, 945 E. Baddour Parkway, Lebanon.
Hours: The fair opens at 5 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. on both Saturdays and noon on Sunday. Ticket sales stop at 9:30 p.m. nightly
Theme: 95 Reasons to Celebrate Tennessee.
Agricultural commodity: Year of Wheat and Grains.
Tickets
Season tickets are $45 and good for admission during all 10 days of the fair. Mega tickets are $30 for one day only any day of the fair with one ride armband. Season tickets are available up to the fair and Mega tickets can be purchased through Aug. 14.
Daily tickets are on sale online through Aug. 14, for $12 plus a processing fee. Daily tickets for are $15 for ages 13-over and $6 for ages 6-12 with ages 5-under free.
Tickets are on sale at wilsoncountytnstatefair.com and at the Wilson County – Tennessee State Fair Office. Season and Mega tickets are also on sale at area banks.
Opening Day, Aug. 15: Tickets are $10 for ages 13-over, $3 for ages 6-12 and 5-under are free.
A special Senior Citizens Event on Aug. 20 will see a $10 admission for ages 60-over. Gates will open for seniors only at 4 p.m.
Parking and traffic
Parking is free, but there is preferred parking for $10.
There is also free satellite parking available at the Cumberland University football field, 415 Harding Drive in Lebanon, First Baptist Church Lebanon, 227 E. Main Street, and the Wilson County Courthouse, 228 E. Main Street in Lebanon. Buses run from 4-11 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon-11 p.m. on Sunday.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation will set up a lane closure on Interstate 40 westbound during Friday and Saturday fair nights. Local police will manage traffic on U.S. 70 and State Route 26, TDOT spokesperson Erin Zeigler said.
Taking routes through Lebanon to the fair and avoiding I-40 around Exit 239 could be an option during peak times, like the weekends, police said.
What to bring and what not to bring
Here are some of this year's security measures, according to the Wilson County Sheriff's Office.
All who enter the admission gates will pass through a metal detection system, and all bags will be searched. Bag requirements include:
Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags are allowed that that do not exceed 12-by-6-by-12 inches with a logo no larger than 4.5 by 3.4 inches on one side.
One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag.
Small clutch bags no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches, approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap.
Medically-necessary items after proper inspection and tagging.
Diaper bags accompanied with a baby (after proper inspection and tagging).
Concealed or open carry weapons are not allowed on the fairgrounds, which applies to concealed weapons permit holders.
No outside food or drink is allowed.
The unauthorized use of Drones (UAS) is prohibited.
Highlighting what's new this year
Backseat driver competition: A team of two in a golf cart with blindfolded driver and the partner giving directions through a course at the motorsports arena. 3-4:30 p.m., Aug. 17. Register online.
Festival of Breads – Sourdough Bread Competition: Part of the Year of Wheat and Small Grains agricultural commodity theme on Aug. 17. People can bring their breads starting at 12:30 p.m., with judging to start at 2 p.m.
Live Blacksmith Competition: Blacksmiths from all over the state will compete at the Blacksmith Ship in Fiddlers Grove from noon-6 p.m., Aug. 24.
New rides: Up, Up and Away in the kiddie section, according to midway operator Reithoffer Shows. smaller children to ride. Block Craft and Pit Stop will make their debut as adult rides. Rip Tide will spin riders in a circular fashion, similar to a giant clock.
Popular standbys
The Corn Maze will be back in the Ag-Venture Barn.
Kiddie Land, rides for smaller children, will be expanded.
The Euro Slide returns as one of the most popular carnival attractions. The Gentle Giant Wheel and two roller coasters, Galaxy and the Indy 500 return.
School Spirit Jam is for middle and high school dance and cheer teams in Wilson County on Thursday, Aug. 22. Middle School starts at 6 p.m., and high school at 6:30 p.m.
Motorsports
An expanded Monster Truck Show at 6:30 p.m., Aug. 23, and Aug. 24 replaces the demolition derby, which is not being held this year.
Also popular are the tractor pulls, scheduled this year at 7 p.m., on Thursday, Aug. 15, Friday, Aug. 16 and Saturday Aug. 17.
An Antique Farm Stock Tractor Pull will be held at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 18, and a Jump and Run Derby at 7 p.m., Aug. 19-20, that has cars doing jumps is also scheduled.
Sky ride update
Wilson County Promotions reached an agreement with Reithoffer Shows last year to build a new sky ride at the fairgrounds.
The sky ride is similar to a ski lift with seats that are suspended in the air, providing riders with a unique vantage point above the fairgrounds.
Tentative hopes were for the sky ride to be available for this year’s fair, which was still uncertain at deadline for this story with work continuing. The process includes ensuring that the sky ride adheres to all safety regulations, said Rick Reithoffer, owner of Reithoffer Shows.
“Ensuring the safety of our guests is our top priority, and we are working closely with the Tennessee State Elevator Division to make sure every aspect of the ride meets their stringent regulations,” Reithoffer said in a statement. "We are hoping that the new ride will be able to open with the 2024 Fair.”
Animals
Racing pigs:All-American Racing Pigs will have multiple shows each day.
Birthing barn:The popular exhibit has several different animal species bred to give birth during the fair.
Poultry and rabbit barn:Chickens, rabbits and also a duck pond.
Eudora Farms: An exotic animal petting zoo.
Southland Dairy: To demonstrate dairy milking.
Dock dogs: Canines doing different aquatic tricks.
Trick Goats: Goat shows will also be held throughout.
Entertainment
Chapel Hart, a country music trio with sisters Danica and Devynn Hart and cousin Trea Swindle, will perform at 8 p.m., Aug. 18 with Bates Ford as the presenter at the Entertainment Pavilion.
Exile will perform following the Flat River Band at 6 p.m., Aug. 19, at the Entertainment Pavilion. Exile will play at 8 p.m.
There will be 15 stages of entertainment with music, clogging and square dancing competitions, pageants, a hypnotist and more.
A hypnotist doing daily shows will also be featured.
Pageants
There are a number of pageants that include the Fairest of the Fair at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 15, at the Farm Bureau Expo Center and a Ms. Wilson County Fair pageant for ages 21-59.
Food
Top sellers year-in and year-out are corn on the cob, funnel cakes, prime rib sandwiches, walking tacos and corndogs.
More popular concessions are bacon on a stick, deep fried cookies, pies and candies, cobblers and all kinds of ice cream flavors to help stay cool.
Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or615-726-5939 and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Here's what to know about the Wilson Country Tennessee State Fair
