Andrews – The Cherokee County Fair will be held in the Valley for the fourth year in a row, with some changes planned this year – including no entry fee.
Board members Chasity Ledford and Brandi Smith said the decision to hold the fair in September was made to not conflict with other fall festivities throughout the region and because of the schedule of this year’s new vendor, Midway Rides Unlimited.
While the 2024 fair was held in October, this year the fair will be held Wednesday through Saturday, Sept. 17-20.
Not only have the dates changed, but the hours of operation have as well. Ledford said they’re going to have Wednesday and Thursday evening hours from 6-10 p.m. and Friday from 5-10 p.m. Friday evening will also feature local food trucks.
This year’s Saturday hours will be from noon-11 p.m. with all-day music featuring local and regional bands, including Robbinsville’s own Rhymer’s Ferry starting the day, Full Circle playing midday and The Steve Jordan Band rounding out the evening. Fireworks will follow starting around 10 p.m.
Ledford and Smith added that the change of venue to the Family Dollar parking lot at Main and Wilson streets was prompted by the potential of construction of new soccer fields and facilities at Heritage Park, as well as since there was no guarantee of the park being available for dates already determined with the vendor.
The two emphasized the fact that this year, there is no entry fee.
“We want everyone to be able to enjoy the rides and the food trucks that will be on site,” Ledford said. “Too, we’ve had people in past years who wanted just to enter for the food trucks and not the fair itself, so we decided to have no entry fee to let everyone come in and enjoy everything the fair has to offer. We’ll have the food trucks in on Friday evening for everyone to enjoy.”
Smith added, “We just want everyone to come in and have fun at the fair with the food, music and rides. That way there’s no pressure to purchase a ticket up front. Families can purchase tickets on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and wristbands for a full evening with food trucks on Friday and for all day on Saturday.
“This way, we have many more options for families wanting to attend.”
Want to go?
- u What: Cherokee County Fair.
- u Where: Main Street in Andrews.
- u When: Wednesday through Saturday, Sept. 17-20; hours vary.
- u Cost: Ticket prices vary.
- u Details: Visit facebook.com/Cherokeecountyncfair.