By Josh Bergeron

josh.bergeron@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — In 2015, storms stopped the Rowan County fair before events could really get started. This year, fair organizers are hoping for a different outcome.

The Rowan County Fair kicks off Friday and will continue until Oct 1. There will be some new events and others that haven’t been seen at the fair in multiple years, according to fair manager Johnny Love. A circus is one example. Lazy 5 Ranch is also scheduled to bring some of its animals to the fair this year, Love said.

Love said the fair has hosted a circus before, but it’s been a number of years. During the 2016 Rowan County Fair, the circus will have two shows nightly and three shows on the weekends.

The fair has hosted petting zoos before, but the fact that Lazy 5 Ranch is coming will be unique, Love said.

He said the fair will also have a new ride company this year, which may bring some new additions.

Meanwhile, weather forecasts mostly project cloudy weather throughout fair events. Rain is also a possibility some days.

On Sunday, the fair will offer free admission for all emergency personnel and military. General admission will be free with four cans of food for Rowan Helping Ministries.

Monday will be “car load night.” Love said “car load night” will allow cars with a maximum of seven people to be admitted for $40. No general admission tickets will be sold on Monday.

Love joked that he’s not aware of a car, other than a commercial vehicle, that can hold more than seven people — perhaps a reason for the limit with car load night.

When there’s not a special promotion, general admission tickets will be $5. Children shorter than 36 inches will be admitted for free, excluding school nights.

All school children will be admitted with special tickets and $1 on school nights.

The full schedule for the 2016 Rowan County Fair is as follows:

• On Friday, Sept. 23: gates and the children’s barnyard open at 4 p.m.; rides open at 5 p.m.; the dairy goat dress up will be at 6 p.m.; and dairy goat showmanship will be at 6:30 p.m.

• On Saturday, Sept. 24: gates, the children’s barnyard and rides open at 1 p.m.; the dairy goat show will be at 1 p.m.; and the demotion derby will be at 7 p.m.

• On Sunday, Sept. 25: gates, ridges and the children’s barnyard open at 1 p.m. and the 4-H dog show will be at 3 p.m.

• On Monday Sept. 26: gates and the children’s barnyard open at 4 p.m.; rides open at 5 p.m.; the ewe show (female sheep) will be at 6 p.m.

• On Tuesday, Sept. 27 (one of the two school days): gates and the children’s barnyard open at 4 p.m., rides open at 5 p.m., the lamb dress-up content will be at 6 p.m. and the meat goat show will be immediately after the lamb dress up.

• On Wednesday, Sept. 28 (the second school day): gates and the children’s barnyard open at 4 p.m., rides open at 5 p.m. and the market lamb show is at 6 p.m.

• On Thursday Sept. 29: the exception children lamb show will be at 12:30 p.m.; gates and the children’s barnyard open at 4 p.m.; rides open at 5 p.m.; and the market lamb show will be at 5 p.m.

• On Friday, Sept. 30: gates and the children’s barnyard open at 4 p.m.; rides open at 5 p.m.; the dairy cattle dress up will be at 6 p.m.; and cattle showmanship will be at 6:30 p.m.

• On Saturday, Oct. 1: gates, rides and the children’s barnyard open at 1 p.m.; the diary cattle show will be at 1 p.m.; the lawnmower pull will be at 6 p.m.; miss and master Rowan County Fair will be at 7 p.m.; fireworks will be at 11 p.m.; and the fair officially closes at 11:30 p.m.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.