By Natalie Salvatore
For the Opelika
Observer
Sponsored by the Opelika Exchange Club, the beloved Lee County Fair has been a tradition for 72 years. This year’s fair will take place from Oct. 1 to 5. Open to all ages, the fair incorporates numerous activities, including competitions, food and drink, games and art activities throughout the five-day event.
Jim Sadler, president of the Opelika Exchange Club and head of the Lee County Fairgrounds, has worked with the fair for approximately 30 years.
Sadler said the fair’s first day, Tuesday, is Kids Day. Children have free admission from 4 to 6 p.m. and gates open at 4 p.m. That night, there will be the Miss Lee County Fair Beauty Pageant under the tent for ages 2 to college age, a preliminary pageant for the Miss Alabama pageant, as well as a lamb show.
The beauty pageant continues on Wednesday with different age groups, when gates open at 6 p.m. There will also be a livestock show at the livestock arena.
Once gates open at 6 p.m. on Thursday, the night will host the state-wide goat show and live music under the tent. Sadler said that the exhibit barn will be open every night as well.
Friday night, when gates open at 6 p.m., there will be gospel singing under the tent as well as a livestock activity that night.
Opening at 4 p.m. on Saturday, the fair’s final day, local music groups under the tent will perform, with other events continuing.
Hand stamps are $20. Gate admission for the fair is $3 for adults, $2 for children and $1 for seniors and former military.
Along with the other events, there will be several night exhibits thanks to several exhibit groups, as well as a Lego contest, a poster contest and a cookie contest for kids.
“We would like people to come out and participate. It’s a lot of good, clean fun,” Sadler said.
Near Opelika High School, the fair is located at the Lee County Fairgrounds, 2316-2358 Lafayette Parkway.
For more information, contact Sadler at 334-749-3353 or hjsadler@charter.net.