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
NAN What's Up on 08/08/2014