Hickory – The 110th Hickory American Legion Fair will offer an impressive show. Most obvious will be the ride-lined midway operated by James H. Drew Exhibition of Augusta, Georgia. Gary Price, the fair board’s president and a longtime member of American Legion Post 48, said of the man-hours poured into the preparations, did not have a list of rides that would be available, but he did not appear worried that there would be enough of them.

“There’ll probably be in the neighborhood of 25 to 30,” he said. “He mixes them up every year, so he doesn’t bring the same rides every year.”

Children’s rides such as a train running on a circular track, a swaying pirate ship or revolving airplanes prove popular, but a longtime staple still thrills many young guests.

“A lot of kids like the merry-go-round,” Price said.

Displays at the Craft Barn also are a draw, offering entrants the chance to vie for coveted blue first-place ribbons. Eight categories of items can be entered. They are:

• Fruits and vegetables.
• Canned foods.
• Culinary arts, which includes breads and desserts.
• Flowers.
• Homemade clothing.
• House furnishings, which range from antiques to homemade quilts to monogramming to crochet works.
• Amateur arts and crafts.
• Field crops.

The arts and crafts, culinary arts, flower, and field crops contests each offer two divisions, one for children through age 15 and the other for adults and children ages 16 and 17, the fair’s guidebook says.

Nearby will be a sawmill that uses antique equipment to cut tree trunks into usable boards, and near it, youngsters will show their prize hogs, cows, goats, chickens and lambs in the Livestock Barn.

The Exhibition Hall will feature displays by local businesses and groups. One of the highlights will be the Veterans Wall sponsored by Post 48. Wide, tall display boards placed along two walls feature hundreds of 8-inch-by-10-inch photos of veterans from all services. Fair guests can submit an entry by mailing an 8-by-10 photo of a veteran with his or her name, rank, service dates and branch of service to: American Legion Post 48; P.O. Box 505; Hickory, NC 28603.

Still more to enjoy

The Little Roy & Lizzie Show

Of course, there also will be live entertainment. Cycle Circus Live leads this year’s program, the fair guidebook says, offering “the largest FMX freestyle entertainment show of its kind in the world today.”

“You will be blown away by the combination of high-tech pyrotechnics, music and lighting,” the book says. “You will be left sitting on the edge of your seat in disbelief at what you are witnessing.”

Other entertainers include performer John Norris, Lew-E’s Comedy Circus and, on Labor Day, The Little Roy and Lizzie Show.

The fair ends with a bang most nights, with fireworks shows set for Aug. 31 through Sept. 3.

The guidebook also emphasizes that the fair is a family-friendly and safe event. Law-enforcement officers and paramedics patrol the fairgrounds, and liquor, drugs and firearms are prohibited. Vehicles cannot be parked within the fairground fence.

Gates open at 5 p.m. Aug. 30 through Sept. 1 and at 2 p.m. Sept. 2-4, Price said.

Admission is $5 for everyone on opening day and for seniors age 55 and older and military veterans on Sept. 1. On other days, admission is $10 for adults and children ages 13 to 17; $5 for children ages 7 to 12; and free through age 6.

Rides are priced separately, and each requires several tickets. Single tickets are $1.25. An unlimited ride package is available for $20 from 5 p.m. to close Aug. 30-31; $25 from 5 p.m. to close Sept. 1; and $30 Sept. 2-4. Their are unlimited ride specials daily!

Discounts also are available for large ticket purchases. They are: 120 tickets for $100, a $50 savings; 55 tickets for $50, an $18.75 savings; and 21 tickets for $20, a $6.25 savings. Advanced tickets are on sale through Etix.com. You can purchase tickets at https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/31859/hickory-american-legion-fair-2023

For more information about the fair, please visit our website at https://hickoryfair.com/fair-2023/. Fairgrounds are located at 1 American Legion Ave, Newton, NC 28658.