New and Old For All: 90th Appalachian Fair will have a little bit of something for everyone
By COLLIN BROOKS
Staff Writer
It will be a mix of new and old as the 90th Appalachian Fair gets underway on August 22.
“We have a lot of new and some old,” Appalachian Fair Manager Phil Booher said. “We are excited that it is our 90th year and we are looking forward to multiple events that we have lined up.”
Some of the new things this year won’t be too old for the lifelong fair goers, as the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team will return to jump after a five-year hiatus. They will jump on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 7 p.m.
Also new this year will be the Appalachian Fair mascot, Appy the Happy Duck, who will parade around the fair grounds engaging with the audience. 2016 will introduce fans to USLRA Lawn Mower Racing and the Tuff Truck Competition, which will take place on Wednesday and Thursday night, respectively.
But those won’t be the only things racing around the track, as the fan-favorite demolition derby will take place on Friday and Saturday, with the diesel 4×4 truck pull opening up the fair on Monday and Tuesday nights.
Many patrons will also be eager to hear tunes on the main stage as things will get started on Monday night with Dan + Shay, a country duo whose hit “Nothin Like You” has been sweeping the airways.
On Tuesday night, Travis Tritt will take the main stage. The “Modern Day Bonnie & Clyde” vocalist, mentioned nearby Johnson City in the 2000 hit. Wednesday will see Brothers Osborne hold down the center stage, which will be followed by Granger Smith on Thursday night.
The Christian rock band MercyMe will be the main attraction on Friday night, with country superstar Josh Turner shutting things down on Saturday night.
There will also be two new ride attractions as the balloon wheel and the clown house will be presented to riders this year.
Appalachian Fair President Rick Storey said that the fair is sticking true to the motto they try to hold to every year, which is “bigger and better.”
“With everything that is offered here at the fair, for an eight-dollar admission ticket, it really is a fantastic bargain.”
The Fairest of the Fair contest will take place on Monday night at 8 p.m., followed by the Little Miss Contest on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
On Wednesday, the Battle of the Bands will take the stage, while the Youth Talent Contest will take place on Thursday night. The last two nights of the fair will have the “So You Think You Can Dance” Contest on Friday and on Saturday, the talent will be overflowing as the “Appalachian Fair’s Got Talent” Contest will begin at 7 p.m.
Tickets for the concerts go on sale at July 23.
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