Preps Underway to Bring Back the Franklin County Fair

It’s months away but preliminary work has begun to bring back the old Franklin County Fair.

Lavonia DDA Executive Director Barbara Busby is co-chair of the project with Carnesville City Councilwoman Patsy Watkins.

The plan is to hold the fair on November 2 – 4 on the grounds of the Lavonia American Legion Post on Augusta Road.

Busby said they recently held a brain-storming session regarding some of the activities and booths they think people would like to see at the fair.

She said a couple of segments of the fair are already nailed down.

“We’ve already got the vendor set up to bring in the carnival rides. He’s bringing 24 different rides. It’s also going to be the weekend before Veterans Day so we’re going to tie in Hometown Heroes to this event and honor our first responders, military, and police,” Busby explained.

On a large sheet of paper in Busby’s office is a list of some of the other events they’re talking about including in the three-day event, which she said they would like to keep as traditional as possible.

“Unfortunately, we will not be able to have livestock exhibitions. We’re not set up for that. But we would like to bring back the old-timey contests, like the blue ribbon contests for baking and jams and jellies, things like that. We’d also like to bring in some antique tractors and touch-a-truck for the kids. We’d like to bring in a petting zoo and each night have a different band, bluegrass, country, oldies, that type of entertainment. And possibly a cruise-in,” she said.

Other ideas for activities they’re considering having at the new Franklin County fair would be square dancing and a fireworks display on the last night of the event.

Busby emphasized the events and activities mentioned are all very preliminary except for the carnival rides.

WLHR News will bring you updates on the county fair as plans become finalized.