The Saline Count Fair is in full swing as of September 7, 2021. This year’s midway is again provided by Tom and Nancy Evans of Evans United Shows out of Missouri. The County Fair will have lots of fun rides that will be up and going, providing thrills and chills for those brave enough to challenge it during the fair. They’ll make for hours of fun for children and adults of all ages. We are looking forward to the sweet smell of funnel cake that will fill the air each night setting the atmosphere for a wonderful time.

“We are glad to have Evans United back again in 2021,” stated Mollie Wright, Fair Board President. “They have a very good group of employees working for them, and they have been an asset for our fair for several years.

Things are a tad different this year, with Covid-19 precautions in place. Evans United has hand sanitizers on all the rides, at food trailers, rest areas and throughout the midway. Regularly, they will continue to sanitize rides and keep everything as clean as possible. You will notice A-frame signs posted throughout the midway to remind folks about the Center for Disease Control recommendations such social distancing, washing hands, and mask suggestions. They are also prepared to follow any and all local, county and state directives. They have a vaccination rate of close to 100% in their workforce.

Wright stated that she has been asked by locals about any inspections the carnival has to have done. “Mr. Evans told me Evans United has two inspectors on staff to assure they meet all safety requirements. They are also inspected at least once by the State of Arkansas before the midway opens, and possibly another time as the week progresses, and they are also subjected to inspections by their insurance carrier to make sure all riders have a great time and go home safe. You can rest assured everything possible has been done to ensure your safety, when you step on an Evans United ride, according to him.”

The concessionaires are also subjected to inspections by the Arkansas Department of Health, and sometimes, these occur several times during fair week to insure the health and safety of fair attendees.

Come on out to the fair and be a part of the fun! Remember to check the Saline County Fair website on the web at: www.salinecountyfairgrounds.com

2021 Schedule of Events

Thursday, Aug. 26 @ 6:30 p.m. in EHC Kitchen

Arts & Crafts Exhibits – train how to take entries in.

Thursday, Sept. 2 from 1:00-8:00 p.m.

Arts & Crafts Exhibit Building – entries are being taken in for arts and crafts only

Saturday, Sept. 4 @ 8:45 a.m.

Fair Pageant

Tuesday, Sept. 7

Get those entries in, get ready for the parade at 6 p.m., come down and enjoy the first night of the carnival and enter both nights of the rodeo via phone! Enter everything except cut flowers and cooked goods Tuesday, Sept. 7th from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. You can still enter the Parade: Contact Tom Wallace, he will need Name of group, Contact Person, Phone Number and entry type. Call or text to enter 501-416-0205. Rodeo, Mini Bucking Bulls or Bucking Pony Entries for Friday or Saturday evening: Call 501-796-4377, Tuesday evening from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Horticulture Entries Entered from 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Arts & Crafts Entries Entered from 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Livestock Entries Entered from 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Parade @ 6:00 p.m.
Carnival opens @ 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 8

Enter your cooked goods or cut flowers Sept. 8th from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. All arts, crafts and horticulture exhibits are judged throughout the day. The carnival opens at 6 p.m., and the Livestock show for cattle, sheep, goats and hogs takes place.

Horticulture Fair Entries Entered from 9:00-11:30 a.m.
Baked Goods Entries Entered from 9:00-11:00 a.m.
4-H Livestock Judging (cattle, sheep, goats & swine) @ 6:00 p.m.
Carnival opens @ 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 9

Senior Citizens’ Day at the fair, we will be serving them lunch starting at 11 a.m.-12:00 p.m. as well as providing entertainment in the fair office building. Around 2 p.m., the rabbit and poultry barn will close for the poultry judging. At 4 p.m., poultry showmanship and rabbit showmanship will take place. The carnival will open and the annual rabbit show will take place at 6 p.m. Mutton Bustin’ entries will be taken at 6:30 p.m. at the main ticket booth on the north side of the Thomas Arena. The Annual Bull Riding starts at 8 p.m.

Senior Citizen Day Luncheon @ 11:30 a.m.
Poultry Show @ 2:00 p.m.
Poultry & Rabbit Showmanship @ 4:00 p.m.
Rabbit Judging @ 6:00 p.m.
Carnival opens @ 6:00 p.m.
Mutton Bustin & Bull Riding @ 8:00 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 10

School Day and Special Needs Day. Several local schools bring kids to tour the exhibits that morning. Some local schools bring their special needs classes for and outing at the fair as well, where they are treated to a tour of exhibits, sometimes entertainment, maybe a ride or two if possible, and a hamburger, chips, snack cake and drink for lunch, and they are required to pre-register by Sept. 1st. At 6 p.m., the carnival is open again. Then at 6:30 p.m., the annual peewee livestock show takes for kids 8 and under in the Show arena, the big 4-H or FFA kids bring their animals in the ring to allow the little children to “show” them and win a big rosette ribbon. Mutton Bustin’ entries will be taken at 6:30 p.m. at the main ticket booth on the north side of the Thomas Arena. The first night of the rodeo starts at 8 p.m. featuring trick rider and mounted shooter Sophie Duch with Pro. Rodeo Clown Robb Gann.

School Day 8:30 a.m.
Special Needs Day – Pre-Registration Required
Mutton Bustin @ 7:30 p.m.
Rodeo @ 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 11

9 a.m. the annual poultry chain auction is held then followed by the annual jr livestock auction and premium sale at 10 a.m. The Jr. Livestock Awards Luncheon takes place at 11 a.m. The carnival will host armband time from 1 p.m.-4 pm., and they will close about 5 p.m. then reopen for the evening at 6 p.m. Mutton Bustin’ entries will be taken at 6:30 p.m. at the main ticket booth on the north side of the Thomas Arena. The last night of the rodeo starts at 8 p.m. featuring trick rider and mounted shooter Sophie Duch with Pro. Rodeo Clown Robb Gannk.

4-H Pullet Chain Auction @ 9:00 a.m.
4-H Premium Auction @ 10:00 a.m.
Carnival Opens @ 1:00 p.m.
Mutton Bustin @ 7:30 p.m.
Rodeo @ 8:00 p.m.
Livestock exhibits released @ 9:00 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 12