By Kathy Chaffin
kchaffin@salisburypost.com
The threat of rain may have kept some people away from the Rowan County Agricultural & Industrial Fair Tuesday night, but the smiles on the faces of the people there were as bright as the sun.
Participants in the 4-H sponsored Lamb Dress Up Contest and the family members cheering them on seemed to be having a great time. Even the lambs seemed to be enjoying themselves, especially Josie Correll’s lamb, which wore a red cheerleader outfit and long blonde wig.
The only lamb that appeared uncomfortable was wearing an outfit marking its sections of meat and was led around the arena by Ben Starnes, who was dressed as a butcher.
The Hampton Family stole the show and the first-place prize, however, with an entry that included two lambs, a carriage and the characters of “Cinderella.”
Cousins Abigail Wilson, 7, and Cindy Connolly, 8, led the procession as Cinderella’s wicked stepsisters followed by the two lambs pulling the carriage driven by 4-year-old Joshua Wilson.
Matthew Connolly, 4, aka Prince Charming, rode inside with his cousin, 4-year-old Madison Hampton, the beautiful Cinderella.
Seven-year-old Kayla Hampton walked with another lamb as the Fairy Godmother, and 15-year-old Beverly Hampton led the procession as the wicked stepmother carrying 10-month-old Lydia Wilson, who was dressed as a cat.
Josie Correll and her lamb placed second in the contest followed by Ben Starnes and his lamb in third.
The competition in the arena of the Earl G. McKinney Livestock Barn became much more serious at 5 p.m., when the Beef Cattle Show judged by Lydell Meier of Clinton, Tenn., started.
Fairgoers had a wide variety of food, exhibits, games, rides and other attractions from which to choose. Sections of picnic tables located between food vendors allowed family members to choose from different offerings.
Mark Johnson of Faith, for example, chose a pork chop sandwich, while his children, 4-year-old Katie and 6-year-old Brodie decided on a slice of cheese pizza. Amy Johnson didn’t get anything, saying she was going to eat the leftovers of her husband and children.
Katie said her favorite part of the fair was holding the rabbits in the Petting Barn, while Brodie was looking forward riding to the Ferris wheel.
What Katie said she was not excited about was the clowns. Her older brother explained why, saying that one had slipped up behind her once at another event and scared her.
The Millbridge Ruritan Club’s chicken and dumplings were as popular as ever. President Doug Goodman said club members start preparing for the fundraiser in July, cooking whole chickens, deboning them and freezing the meat and broth.
They also make their own dough, he said, kneading it and spreading it out over 15 tables to be rolled, cut and bagged for freezing.
The Millbridge Ruritans have been selling chicken and dumplings at the fair for about 10 years, Goodman said. They also sell hamburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, French fries and drinks.
The fundraiser brings in about $6,000 a year, he said, all of which goes back to the community.
Triple B’s Roasted Corn, operated by the Buckwell family of Mount Pleasant, also seemed to be popular with fairgoers. Cynthia and Jimmy Buckwell sell the roasted corn for $3 an ear at events in Cabarrus and Rowan counties.
Their son, Doug, a Concord police officer, was helping them Tuesday night along with Jimmy’s brother, Ronald. The Buckwells’ other son, Kenny, who works for the FBI, also helps when he can.
Cynthia said they average selling 25 cases of 40-plus ears of corn every year at the Rowan County Fair. The best nights are usually Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, she said.
Tasha Houston of Salisbury and her 3-year-old son, Corey Long, arrived early for the 6:30 p.m. Hubba Bubba Clown Show. They waited on a wooden bench while Corey ate some of his cotton candy and played with his winnings from the games, including an inflatable hammer, horn, stuffed Nemo fish and crab and a plastic football game.
Tasha was as excited about the fair as her son. “I’ve been coming here my whole life,” she said. “I rode every ride with him. We’ve had fun.
“We’ve spent over $40 so far.”
Over in the Children’s Barn Yard, sponsored by the South Rowan Future Farmers of America Club, Will Gregory, 3, and his 8-year-old sister, Olivia, seemed to be having a great time looking at the animals with their parents, Rebecca and Shawn.
Amanda Sosna, club president, held a rabbit for them to pet.
The rides were also popular with the children.
Donny Melgar of Lexington and his girlfriend, Anabel Santiago of Rowan, watched while his children, 7-year-old Miriam and 10-year-old Dylan rode with his sister, 8-year-old Anna Carla.
Kelly and Wayne Critchley of Salisbury walked from ride to ride with their children, 6-year-old Hunter and 8-year-old Stephanie. The rides are their favorite part of the fair, Wayne said. “They’re trying to get every one of them in.”
Shanda Styers, 21, and Matt Jarvis, 22, both of Winston-Salem, said they were having a great time. They were carrying around three goldfish they won playing at a game. Shanda said she heard about the fair from her father.
“It’s the most fun I’ve ever had in my life,” she said.
Contact Kathy Chaffin at 704-797-4249.