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For the past few years I have been doing the press release for the Hillsborough County Agricultural Fair. I tell anyone that will listen about the amazing job the 4-Hers have done with their animals and poultry of choice. There are Grange exhibits that are as equally inspiring to the fairgoer to run out and learn how to quilt, knit or learn a new hobby.
    I will take this opportunity to remind anyone reading this that there are many open classes that you, yes you, can enter and show off that blue ribbon in your kitchen window. We have the apple pie and King Arthur Flour baking contest to show off your culinary pastry talents or for those of you that haven’t a clue how to bake (like myself) there are many other classes to enter. Enter that picture you took this winter of your faithful canine rolling in the snow or that photo of the perfect flower you saw on the side of the road or that time the gaggle of wild turkeys ran across your driveway. Enter that quilt you patchworked for your mom (again a skill that escapes me) or that Eiffel Tower your son made out of popsicle sticks and now you have no idea what to do with it. You grew those beautiful flowers this year or the reddest tomatoes your neighbor has ever seen, enter them! Without your help, the “agri” in our “culture” will slowly fade away and our children will think Walmart is where everything comes from.
    It also amazes me how many people in our small town and surrounding towns have never been to the fair. Tell them about it. Encourage them to come down and spend the day with the chickens and cows and Cowboy Mounted Shooters. They can relax in the children’s tent with Mo the Clown and his balloon antics and Grammy nominated Judy Pancoast will also entertain them. Our midway will be open all weekend so they can listen to screaming fair goers enjoying the rides and the sights and sounds of a small town county fair. We have bands performing all weekend and The Jimmy Lehoux Band is our headliner on Saturday night. The Jimmy Lehoux Band has earned a reputation for a ferocious live show.  Jimmy has opened for country music and rock legends alike. He’s a local boy making it big. You don’t want to miss this! We have square dancers, local boy bands, a doo wop band, a strumming band and an up and coming family band. All entertainment is included in the cost of admission. 
    The regulars to the fair know all about the giant truck pull all day Sunday. Watch your neighbor that has been laboring in the garage all month to get the torque just right, pull that sled farther than even he or she thought it would go. For a full schedule of events visit our website at HCAFair.com.  
    Your county fair will be held Friday, September 9th through Sunday, September 11th. Many of us have been attending this event our whole lives. This is the 54th year of the Hillsborough County Agricultural Fair. It’s not the biggest, best or brightest fair, but its YOUR county agricultural fair and we are proud of what our neighbors have accomplished in their backyards and kitchens. Oh yeah, we have fried dough, come and try some! See you at the fair!