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Plans underway for County Fair in October
County Fair Rides
Plans are underway for the 79th Effingham County Fair in October. (File photo.)

Special to the Herald

SPRINGFIELD – The merry-go-round of planning for the 2023 Effingham County Fair has started to spin.

The Effingham County Fair Committee Board, including Fair Manager Grady Rahn, Assistant Fair Manager Mike Tebeau, Secretary-Treasurer Ramona Kessler, Kelly Dickey, Greg Burns, Laura Harrelson and Ivonne Jett, is determined to make the 79th version of the annual event bigger and better than ever. It is set Oct. 12-23 at the Effingham County Fairgrounds, 1015 S. Laurel St.

2023 Fair Committee
The Effingham County Fair Committee Board is getting ready for the 79th Effingham County Fair. Pictured are Secretary-Treasurer Ramona Kessler (from left), Assistant Fair Manager Mike Teabeu, Kelly Dickey and Fair Manager Grady Rahn. Board members Greg Burns, Laura Harrelson and Ivonne Jett aren’t pictured. (Submitted photo.)
The fair committee will host the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce’s “Business After Hours” at the fairgrounds on Aug. 10 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. This occasion will provide an opportunity for businesses, garden clubs, youth groups, school clubs, church organizations, etc., to learn about fair booths.

Booths provide opportunities for their builders to display their offerings to a large audience for 12 days.

As usual, agriculture will be a fair focus. Livestock shows featuring the lambs, goats, pigs, cattle and rabbits of 4-H and FFA members, plus pre-club children, are slated Oct.17-19 at 7 p.m. 

Fairgoers will be able to view a wide array of exhibits daily. A petting zoo will also be open throughout the fair that will feature attractions provided by Powers & Thomas Entertainment.

Homemade baked goods, arts and crafts, quilts and crochet items will be featured in individual exhibits. There are also categories for canned goods, potted plants, corn, cotton, peanuts on the bush, pecans, squash, peas, pears, etc.

The Effingham County Fair Pageant is slated Oct. 21 at 3 p.m.

A major fair-related event, the Effingham County Fair Parade, is scheduled Oct. 16 at 5 p.m. in Downtown Springfield. Awards will be presented to the top entries as determined by a panel of judges.

Learn more about the fair, including rules for the various competitions and categories, at www.EffinghamFair.org.