County fair week and half away -

The 2021 Union County Fair and Livestock Show is less than a week and a half away.

The pandemic shutdown this past year caused officials to cancel the fair but this year’s edition will be back to normal with only a few changes.

The most noticeable difference will be on senior citizens day Wednesday. Due to COVID-19 precautions the event will be drive-through only.

Participants will receive financial information from BancorpSouth, health information from Baptist Memorial Hospital and a box lunch each. The popular Bingo session will not be held this year because it would be impractical to try to have so many people safely spaced apart.

Not a change but an addition this year will be the 5K run and walk Saturday. It will start at 8 a.m. A $25 entry fee will benefit the Soup for the Soul mobile kitchen, which provides free meals throughout the community and especially in the case of a disaster. This ministry was able to feed over 20,000 meals in the 2020 pandemic year.

Anyone interested may register at runsignup.com or in person at the Union County Baptist Association office at 845 Sam T. Barkley Drive.

As usual, each of the pageants has several age categories.

The tiny contest is for boys up to three years old and girls up to two years old. The little pageant is for girls ages three to eight and the miss contest is for girls ages nine through 21.

The registration deadline is July 9 and entrants must be Union County residents except for the Miss Union County Fair title in which girls from Northeast Mississippi counties may compete. The Miss Union County Fair division also awards $1,100 in scholarships.

Regular events include youth night, for which all church youth groups are invited, pet show, back porch games and, of course, the rodeo.

More specific information about the various contests, shows and other events may be obtained by call the Mississippi State University Extension Office at the fairgrounds, at 662-534-1916. A fair guide is available that includes comprehensive information about the events.

Saturday, July 10

Noon – Pony pull at pulling track

Tuesday, July 13

Noon – Goat show in arena

5-10 p.m. – Carnival rides

6 p.m. – Market lamb show in arena

6 p.m. – Tiny Mr. and Miss Union County Fair pageant in the ladies building

7-9 p.m. – Archery contest at the pulling track

Wednesday, July 14

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Drive-through senior citizens day

5-10 p.m. – Carnival rides

5-9 p.m. – 4-H petting barn at the Farm Bureau agricultural exhibit area

7 p.m. – Youth night in the arena

Thursday, July 15

5-9 p.m. – 4-H petting barn

5-10 p.m. Carnival rides

6 p.m. – Little Miss Union County Fair pageant in the ladies building

7 p.m. – Youth rodeo in the arena

Friday, July 16

5-12 p.m. – Carnival rides

5-10 p.m. – 4-H petting barn

5-7 p.m. – Training barrels in the arena

6 p.m. – Beef showmanship

6 p.m. – Miss Union County Fair pageant

7 p.m. – Barrel Bonanza in the arena

9 p.m. – midnight – Midnight Madness, fair admission $3.

Saturday, July 17

8 a.m. – Beef show

8 a.m. – Union County Fair 5K Walk or Run

4 p.m. – midnight – Carnival rides

5 p.m. – Pet show

5-9 p.m. – 4-H petting barn

6 p.m. – Back porch games

8 p.m. – J Bar B Rodeo

9 p.m. to midnight – Midnight Madness, fair admission $3.

Fair admission and midway

Tuesday: Paid gates open 5-9 p.m. with admission $5 adults and $2 children 6-12 with 5 and under free. Carnival armbands $20 and pay one price 5-10 p.m.

Wednesday: Free admission with non-perishable food item donation to the food pantry or $2 donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Carnival ride armband is $25 but buy one and get one free.

Thursday: Paid gates open 5-9 p.m. with admission $5 adults and $2 children 6-12 with 5 and under free. Carnival armbands $20 and pay one price 5-10 p.m.

Friday: Paid gates open 5-9 p.m. with $7 admission except children 5 and under free. Fair admission is $3 for all 9 p.m. to midnight. Carnival ride armbands are $20.

Saturday: Admission 4 to 7 p.m. is $7 except children 5 and under free. Fair admission for all is $3 from 9 p.m. to midnight. Carnival ride armbands are $25.