Fair fever starting to build

The weather is heating up and students across the county are starting to get restless for the end of another school year. Everyone knows what that means – the Wilson County Fair is on its way.

Although months away, excitement is already starting to build for the 2007 fair, to be held Aug.17-25 at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center off Sparta Pike. The theme was announced last week by Hale Moss, president of Wilson County Promotions, the non-profit group that's run the fair since 1979.

This year, the fair will be titled "A Treasure Chest of Wilson County's Best," a theme Moss said gives the county's hometowns and hometown folks a chance to shine.

"This year's theme certainly reflects what we are," Moss said in a written statement. "This Wilson County Fair showcases the wonderful treasures we have in our communities – from Mt. Juliet to Gladeville to Lebanon to Watertown – our county is a true gem.

"We want everyone to have the opportunity to find their special area at the Wilson County Fair and come and deposit their jewels in the treasure chest," Moss quipped.

From the jewel that is Fiddler's Grove – a historical village consisting of 51 structures – to a midway chock full of carnival rides excelled by none – the Wilson County Fair invites attendees to enjoy nine days of fun and excitement.

The fair is certainly a precious commodity when it comes to the county economy. According to numbers released by Wilson County Promotions, attendance at the 2006 fair set a record with 419,666 people walking through the gates at the fairgrounds. The 2006 fair included 9,411 individual entries, more than 4,000 exhibitors and 257 commercial booths. Despite the regional audience, Moss said the fair will continue to have a local focus.

"That's been our mission statement since the beginning – maintain our identity as Wilson County and show off what we can do," Moss said. "The fair is put on by Wilson Countians for Wilson Countians. But we do invite other people to enjoy it."