Fair Enough

County fairs usher in fall with annual festivities

County fairs are not new.

In fact, the concept of the fair has been around since the Romans, when fairs were long holidays allowing for a break in work and prayer. In the Middle Ages, fairs were developed to promote long-distance trade, and in India, the Kumbha Mela, or "pitcher fair," is a Hindu pilgrimage which can attract more than 100 million participants each year.

The modern American fair began in 1841 in Syracuse, N.Y., and offered livestock auctions, produce competitions and bake sales. According to Time magazine, modern amusements like recipe judging, carnival rides and even butter sculptures date back over 100 years.

And despite that long history, the love affair with the fair continues as if each annual event was the first.

Here is a list of some of the upcoming fairs in the What's Up! 13-county coverage area.

Benton County Fair

WHEN -- Aug. 12-16

WHERE -- Benton County Fairgrounds in Bentonville

COST -- $5 for ages 7 and up, 6 and younger, free; weekly pass $10

INFO -- 795-8900, bentoncountyfairar.org.

Madison County Fair

WHEN -- Aug. 16-24

WHERE -- Madison County Fairgrounds, 902 Crossbow Road in Huntsville

COST -- $3 for ages 13 and older, $1 for children 6-12, free for 5 and younger

INFO -- 422-3927

Newton County Fair

WHEN -- Aug. 17-23, closed Aug. 20

WHERE -- Newton County Fairgrounds, south of Jasper

COST -- $1 parking

INFO -- 870-446-6234, thenewtoncountyfair.com.

Johnson County Fair

WHEN -- Aug. 18-22; carnival opens Aug. 21

WHERE -- Johnson County Fairgrounds in Clarksville

COST -- $2

INFO -- 754-2340, thejohnsoncountyfair.com.

Sebastian County Fair

WHEN -- Aug.19-23

WHERE -- Sebastian County Fairgrounds in Greenwood

COST -- Aug. 19, canned food or $1 donation; Aug. 20, $3 adults, $2 children (6-12); Aug. 21-23, $5 adults, $3 children (6-12).

INFO -- sebastiancountyfair.com.

Carroll County Fair

WHEN -- Aug. 23-30

WHERE -- Carroll County Fairgrounds in Berryville

INFO -- kthsradio.com/carroll-county-fair-2014.html.

Washington County Fair

WHEN -- Aug. 26-30

WHERE -- Washington County Fairgrounds in Fayetteville

COST -- Aug. 26, $2 with canned food item; Aug. 27-30, $2 carnival rides, $5 adults $3 children

INFO -- 587-0847, mywashingtoncountyfair.com.

Crawford County Fair

WHEN -- Sept. 8-13

WHERE -- Kirksey Park in Mulberry

COST -- $6 for a week, $3 for adults daily and $1 children

INFO -- thecrawfordcountyfair.com.

Boone County Fair

WHEN -- Sept. 10-13

WHERE -- Northwest Arkansas District Fairgrounds in Harrison

INFO -- boonecountyfairbook.weebly.com.

Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair

WHEN -- Sept. 19-27

WHERE -- Kay Rodgers Park, 4400 Midland Blvd. in Fort Smith

COST -- $7 adults, $4 children (3-11)

INFO -- arkansasoklahomafair.com

-- Allison Carter

[email protected]

NAN What's Up on 08/08/2014

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