Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Fun, Food, and Frolick....

Our hometown of Wilson County has always been known for its rustic quality of life—rolling hills and lovely landscapes with good weather year-round.
Somewhat of a sleepy little town, just far enough away, from the hustle and bustle of the big city lights.


However, every August something spectacular occurs in our county, and the town takes the bragging rights as the State's center of attraction.
The reason is The Wilson County Fair.




Attracting more than 450,000 people to Lebanon every August for nine days of fun at the 240- acre James E. Ward Agricultural and Community Center, the fair has continually been voted Best Fair in the State .

The first documented Wilson County Fair took place in 1853‚ and featured agriculture and home economics displays and competitions.







While those types of livestock shows and crop judging contests still exist today‚ the fair has grown by leaps and bounds.









The principle to a successful fair according to the organizers:
"For a county fair to be successful nowadays‚ it must reflect the community it represents. While Wilson County still has its agricultural sector‚ not everyone who lives here is a farmer.
So we have branched into other facets of entertainment that range from automobile giveaways and banjo-picking contests to demolition derbies and barbecue cook-offs.”

Other attractions include photography contests‚ wine tasting‚ Civil War re-enactments‚ tractor pulls‚ a midway carnival and nonstop musical entertainment.



This event is continuously voted the best county fair in Tennessee . It is extremely clean‚ and each year features fresh and new entertainment. Whether you are 5 years old or 100‚ the Wilson County Fair has something for everyone.


See you at the fair !

13 comments:

Patsy said...

You got to love a county fair.
Thanks for the sweet comment on my post. That little white flower is Scopia Gulliver Bacopa.
Patsy

L. D. said...

You have some super great photos here. Wow!!! The colors and the atmosphere are really wonderful. We are going to our state fair this year for the first time in many years. I didn't think about taking my camera along. Thanks for the idea.

Sunny said...

You have really captured the fun of a country fair. I can't wait for the ones around here to start.
Sunny :)

Loree said...

Great way to spend a summer evening.

Jennifer said...

I love county fair season! I have heard the wonderful tales of the Wilson County fair (We only live and hour away), but we have never had the opportunity to visit. Your photgraphs and description makes me want to just hop in the car & get there! Have a wonderful time!

Cheers, Jennifer

Unknown said...

OMG, a real old fashioned county fair! Wonderful photos and memories.

Cloudhands said...

I love your Fair, especially the living history village area. It would appear you are just down the road apiece. Our Putnam County Fair in Cookeville starts tommorrow and we always have a good time here. I think the best part is taking part. Our church will have a booth so I will be there often. I haven't entered crafts in a long time but love to browse the biggest and best of all our artists and farmers.

Anonymous said...

It looks amazing - Shame I am a million trillion miles away :0(

DJan said...

Those quilts immediately caught my eye. If I were there, I wouldn't be able to leave without one. I love them. And the beautiful horse! I forget the name of those with the big feet, but that one is so enchanting. Thanks for the great pictures; it wasn't quite as nice as attending, but a very close second.

Unknown said...

Our county fair was last week. When our kids were young they showed cattle, hogs and sheep. It was a fun and exhaustive week.
I really like that first photo, so beautiful!

Terry said...

Howdy
This was a fabulous post !
You really captured the heart of the county fair .
Thank you for sharing and all those awesome photos.
You have a fantastic blog.
Have a wonderful rest of the week.
Happy Trails

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Bennie and Patsy: Thanks for the flower's name, I have written it down to but next season. Yes county fairs are the best.

L.D.Burgus: I have only been to the State farm once, it was a little too rowdy for my taste. However all State fairs may not be the same.
Taking the camera will give you some great photo opportunities.

Sunny: I think they just about all start around August don't they ?

Loree: yes, you are correct, and the evening is when I usually go, because it's just too hot in the daytime.

Jennifer: Oh I hope you can make it, an hour away is just a hop, skip and a jump down the road...

Gaston Studio: I don't care for the midway, but I do enjoy the arts and crafts, animals, and ooooh the food ;)

Cloudhands: We are practically neighbors ! Yes, we do have a great living history village, named Fiddlers Grove, authentic old buildings, donated by various residents of the county.

Eternally Distracted: Oh sorry your so far away, I'll post more pictures :)

DJan: We also are quilt lovers, my daughter sews them, not me..
The horse is a Clydesdale or Draught Horse.

Milah: I used to enjoy showing our little Yorkies in the fair, it was so much fun.. No longer I'm afraid, but still nice to watch.

Terry: Thank you for your kind words, I'm glad you enjoyed the photos.

The Retired One said...

We have a county fair here and the images you took are very similar....how wonderful!