The people make the Autauga County Fair special, but it's also a lot of fun

The fair runs through Saturday, Oct. 12, at Mac Gray Park in Prattville

Putting together a trade fair is like building a puzzle. There are many unique parts, the most important of which is people. Without them, even the most amazing Midway rides simply wouldn't function or even exist.

For the Autauga County Fair, which opens Tuesday at 5 p.m. in Prattville and runs through Saturday, Gary Essary, the fair's president, is the puzzle master. Every year he spends months coordinating a mountain of tasks – work that is only possible with a dedicated team of volunteers. They handle everything from updating the fair's website, cleaning the fairgrounds, setting up stages, managing the parking lot, operating the gates, overseeing the competitions and exhibitions, and packing up until next year.

“I started doing it about 13 years ago when the group that was doing it was kind of getting old and couldn't do it anymore,” Essary said. “The challenge back then was recruiting volunteers. But we've worked on it now so we have a good, wide range of volunteers from school and church groups and the rescue team is a large group within our organization.”

The fairgrounds at Mac Gray Park, 1050 Martin Luther King Drive (across from Prattville Junior High School), will be open at 5:00 p.m. the first four days and at noon on Saturday.

Parking is free at the fair. Admission is $5, and children under 3 feet tall get in free. While entry is possible with cash or cards, ride ticket offices only accept cash. There are some ATMs available.

“It’s very cost-effective and we’re trying to keep it that way,” Essary said. “We tried to make our little fair so that everyone could come along and have a good time.”

Fun half way

The Midway rides return to Prattville from SonShine Amusements, which Essary said offers a range of fun options that are great for families.

“We are a smaller fair and most of our rides are probably for younger kids,” Essary said. “We have about a handful of rides for teenagers, the ones that will flip you over and make you sick.”

Midway tickets are sold the first four days from 6 to 10 p.m., on Saturday for a matinee session from 1 to 5 p.m. and an evening session from 6 to 10 p.m

Armbands are available for $20 on Tuesday, $25 on Wednesday, and $20 on Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. only.

Evening entertainment

Tuesday – 5:30 p.m. Boy Scout Flag Raising, 7:00 p.m. Mann Dance Studio, 8:00 p.m. Kevin Thompson
Wednesday – 5:00 p.m. Caleah and David, 6:00 p.m. Anna Bones, 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Simply Southern Sounds
Thursday – 5:10 p.m. CJ's Dance Factory, 6:00 p.m. Marbury High School Band, 7:00 p.m. Chung's Tae Kwan Do Demonstration, 7:30 p.m. Prattville High School Band, 8:00 p.m. DJ Tanner
Friday – 6:00 p.m. Evolve Studio of the Arts, 7:00 p.m. 3 Broke Girls, 8:30 p.m. Consumption Funk
Saturday – 11am: Fairest of the Fair Pageant, 1:45pm Kids Dance Party with DJ Tanner, 3:15pm Madeline Mae, 4:45pm Lacy & Todd Duo, 5:15pm Kids Bicycle Drawings, 6:15pm Spike Graham Orchestra, 8 p.m. Pas Tou La. band

“Saturday is probably our busiest day with a number of different competitions taking place,” Essary said.

This also includes the new car show “Jeep vs. Bronco” on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Vehicles can be registered for $20 each. It is organized as a fundraiser for Branches ABA Outreach to support ABA therapy fellowships for people with autism and related disorders. To register, call Tanner Parrish at 334-235-3426.

There will also be a youth cattle show at 10:30 a.m. and a youth goat meat show at 12:30 p.m

Bicycles will also be raffled off on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Other attractions running throughout the fair's run include the Tickled Pink Petting Zoo's farm and exotic animals, face painting, arts and crafts, contest winners, a variety of vendors and more.

It takes place at the same time as another trade fair

Does it hurt that the Autauga County Fair is happening at the same time as the Alabama National Fair near Montgomery? This is a question Essary is often asked. His answer: not really.

“I think about 12,000 came in last year and up to 14,000 came out,” Essary said. “For our community and our area in Autauga County, I think it’s a great place to come out.”

Learn more about the fair online at autaugacountyfair.com.

Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel reports on activity in the river region. Contact him at [email protected]

The people make the Autauga County Fair special, but it's also a lot of fun

ByVanessa

The fair runs through Saturday, Oct. 12, at Mac Gray Park in Prattville

Fun half way

Evening entertainment

It takes place at the same time as another trade fair

By Vanessa

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