Corporate sponsors enable free admission at this year’s Benton County Fair

Admission to the Benton County Fair on Aug. 8-12 will be free to the public, because of sponsorship from Wal-Mart Stores, McKee Foods, Arvest Bank and others, the fair announced on Monday (July 10).

The 113th-annual Benton County Fair will feature carnival rides and entertainment from Pride Amusements, according to a fair press release. Information on arm band and ticket pricing is available at www.bentoncountyfairar.org.

“We are grateful to all of our sponsors for their support and help to make the fair more accessible to area residents and families,” Eldon Cripps, Benton County Fair Board vice president and sponsorship committee lead, said in the release. “We have some crowd-favorite events returning and a few new events. We look forward to welcoming longtime patrons and newcomers to the Benton County Fair.”

Additional 2017 Benton Country Fair free admission sponsors include McLarty Daniel, Pride Amusements, Cherokee Casino, Coldwell Banker Harris McHaney Faucette, Cripps Law Firm, Delton Williams of Crye-Leike Realty, Crystal Lake Farms, Delta Pride, George Nunnally Chevrolet, Grand Savings Bank, Powell Feed and Sam’s Club, according to the fair.

FAIR SCHEDULE
Aug. 3-5 and Aug. 7
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Early Exhibitor Registration, Vendor and Exhibitor Set Up Fair Office Hours

Tuesday, Aug. 8
1 p.m. Fair Gates Open
6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Midway and Carnival open

Wednesday, Aug. 9
9 a.m. Fair Gates Open
5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Goat Yoga (near Horse Arena)
6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Midway and Carnival open

Thursday, Aug. 10
9 a.m. Fair Gates Open (Senior Citizens Day)
10 a.m. Senior Citizens Bingo, Auditorium
6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Midway and Carnival Open
7 p.m. Mutton Bustin’ and Calf Scramble, Horse Arena
7 p.m. Entertainment, TBA

Friday, Aug. 11
9 a.m. Fair Gates Open
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Goat Yoga (near Horse Arena)
10 a.m. to noon Youth Talent Rehearsal, Auditorium
5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Midway and Carnival Open
5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. NWA Polo Junior and Adult Exhibition, Horse Arena
7 p.m. Lawn Tractor Pull, south of Midway
7 p.m. Beautiful Bovine Contest, Livestock Barn
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Showjumping Jackpot and Interscholastic Equestrian Association Exhibition, Horse Arena
7 p.m. Entertainment, TBA

Saturday, Aug. 12
9 a.m. Fair Gates Open
9 a.m. Horse Show, Horse Arena
1 p.m. Awards Ceremony, Auditorium
2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Midway and Carnival Open
6:30 p.m. Junior Livestock Auction, Livestock Barn
7 p.m. Barrel Racing Exhibition and Jackpot, Horse Arena
7 p.m. Entertainment, TBA

The fair is operated by a nonprofit, the Benton County Fair Association. Its board members are Ashley Hays, president, Eldon Cripps, vice president, Charlene Newell, secretary, Carla Martinez, treasurer, Clint Bowen, Tim Craig, Jim Griffin, Chris Graves, Deb Lindsay, Frank Myers, Ken Myers, Gan Nunnally, Jacob Payne, Robert Smith and Duane Thomas.