As the young child walked through the rows of chickens her eyes lite up as she lifted her head to see a lighted Ferris wheel spinning in circles waiting for her to catch a ride.
This moment is one many of us have experienced walking through the fair as a young child and even still we feel a small glimmer of child like happiness when we see the line of carnival rides, games, and those delicious, candied apples.
The long-awaited Tennessee Valley Fair is back! A rich tradition in East Tennessee for over 100 years is now celebrating its comeback after two years away from concerts, fair food and exhibits due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Celebrating 101 years, the Tennessee Valley Fair is rooted in traditions and memories that generations share. During this past century the Tennessee Valley Fair has only had to take a break twice, once being for World War II and the other for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through these uncertainties, the Tennessee Valley Fair has made itself home to many families across East Tennessee and is now back in the full swing of things with no COVID-19 regulations.
Coming to Chilhowie Park on September 10-19, the Tennessee Valley Fair provides families with quality activities and learning opportunities for all ages. The fair prides itself on highlighting agriculture through their numerous exhibits housed in or around the Jacob Building. The fair website stating, “after all, agriculture is what feeds us, clothes us, and helps us live.”
Alongside the agriculture exhibits inside, families can also visit the livestock barns throughout the week to see beef and dairy cattle, poultry, sheep, goats and rabbits.
Deeper into the fairgrounds, visitors can find folk life demonstrations at the Kerr building where you may even run into a few Union County 4-H members baking biscuits. Families can take a step back in time as they learn how wool is spun and baskets are woven. Alongside seeing beautiful exhibits of quilts and wood carvings.
This year’s concert line up is one that is hard to beat. With eight entertainers taking the stage, there is someone that everyone can enjoy.
Similar to years past fans will be able to crowd around the rodeo arena, tractor pull, and demolition derby. If you did not get enough of Union County’s rodeo, put on by Spur’N S Rodeo Company, make sure to come out to the Tennessee Valley Fair for a fun night full of cowgirls and cowboys riding horses and roping cattle.
After a fun filled day of playful competitions, Ferris wheel riding and funnel cake eating visitors can watch a firework show before they head back home.
For more information about the Tennessee Valley Fair make sure to visit the fair website at https://www.tnvalleyfair.org/p/about.