County fair to open Tuesday
The 2009 Henry County Fair is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, through Sunday, June 28, at the Henry County Fairgrounds in Cambridge.
“It’s the 150th Henry County Fair this year and we have lots of special things planned, including a new carnival,” said Wayne Douglass, Henry County Fair president. “The carnival, which guarantees us seven bigger rides for the older kids and seven young rides for the little kids, will offer an armbands every night of the week from 5 to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. We are also having a free gate Sunday, hoping to draw more families out, but donations will also be accepted.”
The art hall will also feature a new look this year, being completed revamped by new art hall superinendents Cheryl Johnston and Lewanda Lowery of Andover.
“We have added a lot of new classes and plan to add even more next year,” said Johnston. “The art hall will feature a bright, clean and cheerful atmosphere. We have also extended the halls hours from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.”
The art hall will also feature a new sign, donated by Bill and Cheryl Johnston, Rosie Fike and Frances Johnston in memory of their loved ones, Darl Fike and Vincent W. Johnston.
On Friday, June 12, the Johnstons were busy painting all of the exhibitor tables and preparing the display cases for the upcoming fair.
“Bill and I hate painting,” stated Johnston. “This is a labor of love, but we want everything to be nice, clean and inviting.”
Johnston said quilts will be display on the back wall of the building to add much needed color to the space.
“Everything will be secure,” Johnston stated. “The building will be manned 24 hours a day and no one will be allowed to touch an item.”
Johnston said they are still looking for sitters throughout the day. Anyone interested in helping watch the building, should contact Lowery at 521-8693 or Johnston at 507-1464.
A box for suggestions will also be placed in the art hall.
“We want suggestions, what we can do to make the art hall bigger and better for next year,” she stated. “We will also have some guessing games at the art hall. Old-time items will be brought in for the games, tieing in with the 150th anniversary.”
Fair gates open at 7 a.m. and admission is $6 per individual, according to Judy Douglass, secretary of the group. Parking is free and children 7 and under will be admitted free of charge.
Fun passes (admission to the fair for all six days) are available. Anyone leaving the grounds expecting to return must have an armband placed on their wrist before leaving the grounds.
Senior citizen passes are $12 and can be purchased at the secretary’s office on the Henry County Fairgrounds. Exhibitor passes will begin at $12.
Passes may also be obtained from Judy Douglass at 12111 E. 2000th St, Atkinson IL 61273.