School’s back in session and cooler weather is right around the corner. That can only mean one thing … it’s fair time! The Cumberland County Fair runs from Sept. 11-20 this year. That’s 10 days of just about every kind of fun imaginable. From music to motors ports to animals and more, the Cumberland County Fair “seeks to provide an opportunity to showcase and preserve the history and legacy of the agricultural communities in Cumberland County; to celebrate the diversity of local arts and crafts; to promote a safe setting for fun, healthy family entertainment …  and to encourage an environment of friendly competition for all ages.”  

For the Fayetteville community, that translates in to concerts, rides, games, petting zoos, dancing, roller derby, food, animal shows, arts and crafts and fun-filled activities for the entire family. 

All week long, patrons can look forward to an interactive petting farm, Kountry K-9 Show, Motomaniacs Stunt Show, the works of chainsaw artists Rick Cox and Monster Truck Rides. Helicopter rides are also on tap each day as is the baby chic display, toddler driving school, family and consumer science education. Visit the Farmer for a Day exhibit hosted by the Cumberland County 4-H Clubs. There are also pony and camel rides, a Eurobungy trampoline, home, craft and agricultural exhibits and a Goodness Grows in North Carolina contest hosted by the Cumberland County Cooperative Extension Service.

Sept. 11 is not only opening night, it is Military and Emergency Services Appreciation Night. That means free admission for all military and first responders in uniform or with a valid ID. The gates open at 5 p.m. Patrons can enjoy WKML 95.7 Live at the Fair and check out the petting farm, racing pigs, a K-9 show, motomaniac, ballroom dancing, hip-hop artist Jay Bless to name a few of the activities. From 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. it’s Midnight Madness, which means free admission with the purchase of an unlimited ride wrist band.

Sept. 12 is Paraglide and Fort Bragg Life night at the fair and features local musician Erik Smallwood on the Entertainment Stage at 1 p.m. The Jill Charles Band takes the stage at 3 p.m. followed by Upscale “N” Casual at 7 p.m. Valhalla closes out the evening’s live performances at 9 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 13 is faith and family day. There are church services on the fairgrounds at 10:15 a.m. Anyone bringing a current church bulletin will receive a $2 discount at the gate. One bulletin per person is required. This offer is valid from 1-3 p.m. The entertainment stage features  Destiny Now, Jordan River Quartet, Avery Hurt, Kim Canady and Accepted. Other events include racing pigs, Country K-9 Show and the petting farm. WKML 95.7 is live at the fair all day. The gates open at 1 p.m.

Sept. 14  is Pay One Price (POP) night. For just $10 gain entry to the fair and an unlimited ride wrist band. The gates open at 5 p.m. WAZZ will be on site doing a live radio remote. Don’t miss the Junior Laying Hen Show at 7 p.m.  Entertainment on stage includes Crossroads and Reckless Abandon.  Motomaniacs have several shows scheduled each day as well. Gates open at
 5 p.m.

Students, Tuesday, Sept. 15, is Fun, Fun, Fun student night at the fair. Students get in free until 8 p.m. with a student discount coupon. Visit the Kidsville News! Stage for all kinds of exciting entertainment throughout the evening. There are racing pigs, the petting farm, Kountry K-9 show, the Junior Market Lamb Show, Motormaniacs and more. The entertainment stage will feature Three Below Zero and Seal the Deal. Gates open at 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 16 is also Fun, Fun, Fun student night. Unique events include Little “Ewe” Jumpstart Livestock Clinic, Swine, Feeder, Calf and Steer Show and the Fayetteville Area Youth Livestock Auction Sale, sponsored by the Cumberland County Farm Bureau. Original Reflections will play on the Entertainment Stage at 6:30 p.m. Reflections II takes the stage at 8:30 p.m. The gates open at 5 p.m.

Senior citizens looking to enjoy the fair at their own pace are invited to the Snior Citizens Day on Thursday, Sept. 17. The gates open at 1 p.m. and patrons 50 years and older get in free until 5 p.m. Special events include Shimmy Mob Dance Troupe, Jackie and the Red Hat Society, magician Marie Blackman, comedian Luis Cadena, Hope Mills Rhythm Stompers, Country Sunshine Line Dancers, Roland’s Dance Studio and the 82nd Aiborne Chorus. Starting at 4 p.m. anyone with a wristband coupon from Carly C’s gets $5 off an unlimited ride wristband and $2 off admission with a 4-H or FFA club membership card or T-shirt. Don’t miss the Junior Meat Goat Show at 7 p.m., racing pigs throughout the evening  and Ring Wars Carolina Wrestling. Performers on the Entertainment stage are Erik Smallwood and Rivermist.

A Fair Fight Against Breast Cancer is the theme for Friday, Sept. 18. Cape Fear Valley Breast Care Center will offer $1 off all admissions between 5 and 8 p.m. Gates open at 4 p.m. Highlights for the evening include Beach Music Night with Jim Quick and Coastline on the Entertainment Stage, Fair Queen Pageant rehearsals, the Junior Beef Heifer Show sponsored by the Cumberland County Farm Bureau. Don’t miss Midnight Madness from 10 p.m. – 1 a.m. Purchase an unlimited ride wristband and get free admission.

Gates open at 1 p.m. for a full day of fun on Saturday, Sept. 19. The Entertainment Stage and Kidsville News! Stage both have a completely full slate with performers like Tony Gibson, Acoustic on the Rocks, The Elite Believers Mime Ministry, VZ Modeling Academy, Drew Smith Band and Back Track Band. The Chainsaw Art Auction is a must see at 5 p.m. The Cumberland County Invitational Step Show  is also at 5 p.m. The Fair Queens Pageants are scheduled for 7 p.m. 

The fair’s last day in town is Sunday, Sept. 20. The day kicks off with church services on the Fairgrounds at 10:15 a.m. The gates open at 1 p.m. for Carload Day at the Fair. There is a $20 admission per car for up to six people. The Horrell Family will grace the entertainment stage along with Glad Trio, Tony Gibsion, The Gores and Travelin’ Light Band. It’s your last chance to enjoy the fair food, play games on the midway, try out the rides, see the racing pigs, Motomaniacs, Kountry K-9s, visit the Kidsville News! stage, the petting zoo and other exhibits.

Find out more at www.facebook.com/CCFairNC.