Hamilton County Fair gets a new look
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The Hamilton County Fair has had its struggles over the past of couple of years.
However, county leaders want to jumpstart a new era for the festivities.
The past three Hamilton County Fairs have faced cancellations due to Covid-19 and weather.
From 2019 and before, the fair was held at Chester Frost Park in Hixson.
But now leaders believe the McDonald Farm in Sale Creek holds the key into turning the fair into a mainstay event.
Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp said, “I just challenged our folks, alright, let’s either decide we all are committed; mayor’s office, parks and rec, all together. We’re either committed together to making this a world-class county fair or let’s not do one, because we really owe to the people of the county to go all in or all out.”
With recent expansions to the farm recently approved by the county commission, the event will be the start of the farm’s future.
They hope the new start date on Veteran’s Day Weekend will provide momentum for the event.
“One of my complaints as a kid, was that the county fair was way too hot, you think about a county fair, and to me that’s more of a fall festival deal, you want it a firepit, you want that chill in the air,” Mayor Wamp said.
The list of events stretches across the farm’s cornfields.
Deputy Director for Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Karen Shostak said, “The fair will kick off on Friday, November 10th with a live action, fast paced, rodeo… Frontierland will feature a lumberjack show, pony rides, a petting zoo, and so much more… Thanks to our partnership with EPB, all of the fair rides will be free for the duration of the event.”
The fair will be using many of the key buildings here on the site for various events.
The McDonald Farm has been a staple of Northern Hamilton County since 1821, and there was angst in the community when it was purchased by Hamilton County.
But leaders hope events like the fair assure the community the farm is here to stay.
“You will have in the years to come, a fair within a park, right now it’s a fair within a farm, but you will see in the next couple of years the homestead portion of the farm converted into a park,” Wamp added.
He also added that he is hoping the county will be able to share more details about the farm’s future around the time of the fair.
Parking will be on farm property.
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Hamilton County officials held a press conference on Wednesday, announcing the all-new plan for the Hamilton County Fair.
Mayor Weston Wamp and other community leaders announced the revamped fair idea at the McDonald Farm in Sale Creek.
McDonald Farm (Courtesy: Office of Mayor Weston Wamp)
The three-day Hamilton County Fair will take place this year over Veterans Day weekend, which is November 10 through 12.
The fair will be fairly affordable as well. Daily entry fees will range from $5 to $7. A three-day pass will cost $12.
Children under 10 will get free entry, and certain groups will receive discounts as well.
The fair will feature attractions such as amusement rides, agricultural exhibits, a kids’ area and live music. Officials note that one of the musicians will be a “national award-winning country music act.”
It will feature fireworks as well.
This fair will now have a military focus, supporting Wreaths Across America.
The McDonald Farm is near the Rhea County line and spans over 2,000 acres.
“The all-new County Fair will celebrate family values, America’s heroes, and the rich history of our county, which began in Sale Creek,” said Mayor Wamp. “McDonald Farm is one of the County’s most incredible assets, and we look forward to welcoming everyone there for a very special weekend this Fall.”
County officials say this Little Debbie sponsored event will focus on telling the history of Hamilton County and celebrate its future.
Officials first announced their idea to move the fair to the McDonald Farm in 2022. However, the fair ended up being cancelled last year.
