Take a Mini Vacation at the Tennessee Valley Fair 

With national fuel prices steadily creeping upward, stay-cation seems to be the buzzword for more and more Americans this summer. And if you’re searching your own backyard for a great family-friendly getaway, consider taking a mini vacation right here in K-town at this year’s Tennessee Valley Fair, September 5 through 14 at the Chilhowee Park fairgrounds.

The Fair is marking its 89th year with a lineup of shows and activities that offer something for everyone while remaining true to the event’s Americana roots. The 10-day-long schedule is packed from start to finish with agricultural exhibitions and competitions, live concerts and action sporting events, and carnival-style rides for all ages, just to mention a few of the highlights.

“This year’s fair is more tradition- and family-oriented than ever,” says executive director Scott Suchomski. “This is a safe, clean event that people can feel comfortable attending. And there’s so much to do, a family could easily spend an entire day or more here.”

Visitors can also take comfort in the fact that ticket prices are staying the same as they were last year—$9 for adults, $7 for seniors and only $5 for children ages 6 to 11. And guests can expect a lot of value for the money. Except for ride tickets, concessions and reserved concert seats, all activities are included in Fair admission.

 If you want to get your visit off to a fast-paced start, you could visit the Action Sports Entertainment area, where special events like the NTPA/MSPA Tractor Pull, the demolition derby and the Spur’n S Rodeo will be held.

Those looking to experience a few thrills firsthand can take a spin—or a dip or a loop—on one of the Fair’s 55 rides. Older kids and adults will find many classic rides like the Himalaya and the Ferris wheel on the carnival midway, while younger children will find rides more to their liking, along with a petting zoo and pony rides, in the separate Kiddie Land area.

Another annual staple of the Tennessee Valley Fair is the live concerts at the Homer Hamilton Theatre. The 2008 lineup features acts ranging from the Village People, Foghat and Loverboy to Blue Highway, Chris Cagle, Darryl Worley, Chuck Wicks and Con Hunley. Most concerts begin at 8 pm in the outdoor amphitheater. Reserved seats range from $5 to $10, but 3,500 seats are free each performance with paid Fair admission.

This year, the Fair is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Fairest of the Fair pageant. To mark the occasion, organizers are inviting Fairest of the Fair winners and runners-up from the past half-century to attend the pageant on September 6.

Other live-entertainment options include magicians, jugglers and hypnotists at Theater on the Lake as well as an outdoor circus and the Live Shark Experience, an exhibit featuring three lemonhead and two nurse sharks.

 Of course, no fair would be complete without a wide array of agricultural competitions and exhibits. In addition to livestock, dozens of arts and crafts and horticultural entries will be vying for blue ribbons in the Fairgrounds’ exhibition halls.

“Our mission since 1916 has been to promote agricultural awareness and education,” says Suchomski.

Organizers are also bringing back one of last year’s biggest attractions, the dairy cattle’s Live Birthing Center, where guests might witness one of a dozen cows or more giving birth.

Rounding out the 2008 Tennessee Valley Fair is a wide range of special events, including Mayberry Day and the Youth Talent Contest as well as clogging, cheerleading and arm wrestling competitions. Each night at 10:30 pm, the Tennessee Lottery presents a special fireworks show. The Fairgrounds close at midnight each night. 

 Suchomski points out that the SmartFix 40 construction should have little impact on visitation this year. Those traveling to the fairgrounds from the west side of Knoxville just need to take I-640 around the work, then head back toward downtown on I-40. For specific directions, visit the Fair’s website, www.tnvalleyfair.org.

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Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved.