Thursday April 25th, 2024 -

Upcoming fall-fun with the Faulkner County Fair

September 10-16, 2012

Even though the heat is still capable of frying an egg on the sidewalk, fall is around the corner. Students will be the first to tell you that the traditional back-to-school rituals occurred; a sure sign that fall is inevitable. Next up on the list of fall-themed events is the 74th Faulkner County Fair.

The Faulkner County Fair is an event that has become a deep-rooted tradition. The first fair occurred a little over 100 years ago on Oct. 4 -7, 1909. Judge Sam Frauenthal was happy to offer his property as the location for the event, an acreage located near present Oak Street in Downtown Conway. Governor George W. Donaghey, an integral force for Conway and Faulkner county, began the festivities at 11:30 a.m. on the opening day.

The following fairs were not as successful as the first. In 1915, the Faulkner County Fair was discontinued due to the little amount of generated revenue. The fair did not resume on the same level until nearly 20 years later, in 1938.

With the help of the Young Businessman’s Association the Fair was struck up again near its original location on Oak Street. The success of the 1938 Fair led to its continuance. The fair remained located near Oak street until 1945 when it moved to the Conway Airport Property.

In 1946, however, the Young Businessman’s Association was able to buy some property on Robins street. The fair was located there up until 2009. In 2010, the Faulkner County Fair was unveiled at its new location off of Highway 64.

The Fair schedule for 2012 promises an event for everyone.

A key event is the parade, which will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 5 p.m. The theme for the parade this year is ‘A Gold Medal Performance.’ The string of participants will snake downtown on a pre-determined route. There will be bands, convertibles, and horses. The parade is open to all participants free of registration.

The Grand Marshall of the parade this year will be none other than Bobby Ward. Ward has won numerous titles in races during the 60s and was recently inducted into the National Sprint Hall of Fame. Amidst the forecasted long line of participants will be a float context.

The floats will be judged up to fourth place, with prices of $150, $125, $100, and $50 in prize money.

Following is a shortened list of events. For more information and a full list of events go to http://www.faulknerfairparade.net/fcfp/: