Lincoln County Fair - Eureka

Thursday, August 23, 2012 - Sunday, August 26, 2012

The Lincoln County Fair is held in the Tobacco Valley with Eureka as its center in the northern part of the county, just seven miles from the Canadian border. 'Small town, home town, country, low key' are the descriptions used for the fair. Locals and returning transplants from other areas come to the fair to get together and visit and catch up on each other's lives, while at the same time enjoying the traditional and ongoing fair activities and events that have occurred for many years. Newcomers and visitors are treated in the same friendly manner and soon feel like they are 'at home' too.

Not that everything is low key. There is plenty of excitement too! The Lincoln County Fair includes a Saturday night show, 'The Bull Thing' (bull riding) followed by 'Dirty Dancing' (dance to live music in the arena dirt) under the lights. The show features a Calcutta auction for the top ten bull riders and bulls. Another much anticipated part of 'The Bull Thing' is cowboy poker. Four everyday people sign a release, sit at a poker table and wait for a charging bull to check out the game. The last 'cowboy' with hands on the table wins a purse of $500.00. There is also a funny man who provides lots of laughs.

Friday Night at the Games during the fair is a new event gaining popularity. Participants of all ages take part in old fashioned races and contests such as a mutton busting, three leg races, wheelbarrow races, chicken scramble, hay bale stack and tug of war. This event is held in the rodeo arena and the audience has as much fun as the contestants.

The fair will hold a quilt auction in the Food Court on Saturday afternoon. A variety of designs and types of quilts will be offered, as well as wall hangings and smaller quilted items. All items will be on display throughout the fair weekend in the exhibiting area for quilts.

There are also 4-H and open class horse shows, 4-H dog show and a petting zoo. A market livestock auction is sponsored by the Eureka Area Chamber of Commerce and will be held on Saturday afternoon. Lincoln County Fair could almost be called a 'food fair' with a variety of culinary offerings from several booths run by county based non profit groups. Picnic tables on green grass, circled by the booths, provide a comfortable and sociable way to enjoy dining the Fair way. A stage is located in the same area providing musicians, actors, dancers and poets opportunities to entertain and are always well received by those relaxing in the area.

The Fair Parade is held on Sunday at 1:00pm and traditionally includes horses, old cars, various group floats and children and adults dressed in costumes. Overall theme sweepstakes awards are given, as well as ribbons for all categories. Entries are welcome and encouraged from all geographic areas. So, if you are in the area just visiting, consider also being a participant.

The fair has three exhibit barns displaying entries in garden products, food, needlework and quilts, flowers, arts and crafts and photography by both youth and adults. The public is invited to vote for their favorites in the cookie, flowers, quilts and arts categories. These People's Choice winners are awarded extra prizes by local merchants.

Rounding out the fairway is a variety of vendors offering handmade or commercial products, game booths run by local organizations... check out the dunk tank... and information centers for all kinds of organizations and causes. In short, the Lincoln County Fair has something for anyone and everyone to enjoy!