Manatee County Fair opens Thursday

MANATEE COUNTY — Braden River High School student Elizabeth “Annie” Curry hardly has time to sleep these days.

But Curry, a senior, wouldn’t have it any other way.

This time of year is her favorite; it’s fair time.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said Curry, grinning as she rattled off a list of animals she’s showing — goats, chickens, rabbits and a heifer — and crafts she’s entering in the fair, as well. “I love showing the goats and the (midway) rides, of course.”

The Manatee River Fair Association will open the 96th annual Manatee County Fair, themed, “A Star-Spangled Year,” tonight. Festivities run daily through Jan. 22. Entry costs $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and $5 for children ages 6 to 12, except on special pricing days.

This year’s entertainment lineup includes performers such as country music artists John Anderson, Craig Campbell, Jeff Cook and Edens Edge, as well as groups such as The Harry James Orchestra and The Sidewalk Prophets, among others.

“All the nights are going to be great,” Fair Manager Daniel West said. “We’ve got some really great entertainment.”

Other fair festivities include pig racing, a kids pedal tractor pull, midway rides, livestock shows, strolling acts, a high-school cheerleading competition and a variety of exhibits, among other activities.

New to this year’s fair are a butter-sculpting exhibit, as well as a two-night “Manatee’s Got Talent” show, in which 25 Manatee County residents will show off their talents and compete for a grand prize of $1,000. All performers will compete Jan. 20, and the top 10 competitors will advance to the finals Jan. 21.

“It gives local folks a chance to get on stage and perform,” West said. “The Manatee County Fair is a very community-oriented fair. It’s a time to come out and see your neighbors you don’t get to see the rest of the year. It’s almost like a homecoming for our county.

“We have such wonderful volunteers and sponsors who help put this fair (on) and we wouldn’t be able to do it without them,” he said.

Fair organizers chose the “Star-Spangled” theme as a tribute to the War of 1812, which inspired Francis Scott Key to write the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” in 1814, West said. The idea also reflects the fact that 2012 is a presidential election year.

“You’re going to see everything red, white and blue,” West said. “They wanted to do a patriotic theme.”

For a complete listing of fair entertainment, activities and pricing, visit www.manateecountyfair.com.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

Manatee County Fair
DATES: Jan. 12 -22
HOURS: 5 to 10 p.m. Jan. 12 and 17; 5 p.m. to midnight Jan. 13 and 19; noon to midnight Jan. 14-15 and 20-21; noon to 10 p.m. Jan. 16 and 18; and noon to 7 p.m. Jan. 22
TICKETS: $13 for adults 13 years old and up; $7 for ages 55 and up; $5 for ages 6 to 12; free for children 5 and under
SPECIAL PRICING DAYS: “Opening Day,” Jan. 12: Adults $4 and children $2; “Two Dollar Tuesday,” Jan. 17: $2 admission for all ages and midway rides for $2 each; “Senior’s Day,” Jan. 18: All senior’s ages 55 and up cost $5; and “Auto Way Ford Kids Day,” Jan. 20: All school-age children enter free from noon to 3 p.m.
WEBSITE: www.manateecountyfair.com 

PERFORMERS
Jeff Cook: 8 p.m. Jan. 13
John Anderson: 8 p.m. Jan. 14
Heather Williams: 6 p.m. Jan. 15
The Sidewalk Prophets: 7 p.m. Jan. 15
Harry James Orchestra: 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Jan. 18
Eden’s Edge: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19
Craig Campbell: 9 p.m. Jan. 19