Two of the best things about August and the glide into the end of summer are the Williamson County Fair and Wilson County Fair. Both offer lots of family fun with rides, games, live entertainment, animal encounters, competitions and pageants, and don't forget the yummy fair food. Who can resist a funnel cake at the fair?
Here's what your family can look forward to this year:
WILLIAMSON COUNTY FAIR
When: Aug. 2 – 11
Where: Williamson County Ag Expo Park (4215 Long Lane, Franklin)
Hours: Mon – Fri 6 – 10 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun 12 – 10 p.m.
Admission: $9 adults, $5 ages 6 – 12, free ages 5 & younger (check website for daily admission specials)
Contact: 615-794-4386 | williamsoncountyfair.org
The Williamson County Fair has something for everyone, including rides for little kids, big kids and extreme thrill seekers. Try your hand at a fun carnival game, enjoy live entertainment and splurge on the tasty treats along the Midway.
There are a few new attractions this year. Take a spin on the NYC Taxi Bumper Cars and little ones can board the new Barnyard Ride. You can also experience the Piccolo Zoppe boutique circus, the XPOGO Stunt Team and The Spoon Man interactive comedy show.
The popular Jurassic Kingdom Dinosaur Show from last year returns, and this year it takes place every day of the fair. The BMX Tricksters are back along with the cool Robocars, and 4-H & Youth Village exhibits.
The Little 1's Farming and Children's Barnyard are extremely popular with small children. Little 1's Farming lets kids play farmer for a while. They can have fun planting seeds, milking Buttercup the cow, harvesting their crops, selling their goods and spending their "money" on a cool, sweet treat.
The nearby Children's Barnyard brings kids up close and personal with an assortment of live animals to pet. The Birthing Pig Exhibit is back during the fair, and if you're there at the right time, you'll be able to witness the mama pig giving birth to her piglets!
Other highlights of the Williamson County Fair include:
• The Sing Your Heart Out kids' vocal competition on Tuesday, Aug. 6 at 6 p.m.
• The Community Art Project Aug. 2 – 10 (hours vary daily)
• The Creative Arts Exhibit (daily)
WILSON COUNTY FAIR
When: Aug. 16 – 27
Where: James E. Ward Agricultural Center (945 E. Baddour Pkwy., Lebanon)
Gate Open: Mon – Fri 5 p.m., Sat 10 a.m., Sun 12 p.m.
Admission: $12 adults, $6 ages 6 – 12, free ages 5 & younger. Season passes are $45. The $25 Mega Ticket includes gate admission and an unlimited ride armband (must purchase by Thursday, Aug. 15)
Contact: 615-443-2626 | wilsoncountyfair.net
Middle Tennessee's biggest county fair is back with more rides than ever before! This year's Midway boasts 52 rides, including 23 Kiddie Rides with two new ones: Mini Carousel and Mini Tea Cups. There are also 15 Major Rides, five Spectacular Rides and nine Super Spectacular Rides (for extreme thrill seekers!).
New to the fair this year are the Mutton Busting kids' rodeo competitions and the Eudora Farms animal adventure. Mutton Busting is a fun sheep-riding competition for kids ages 4 – 7 who weigh less than 60 pounds. Participants can ride the sheep rodeo style to see who can stay on the longest (helmets and safety vests provided). Mutton Busting takes place six times per day and costs $10 to enter.
The Eudora Farms animal adventure is an interactive, educational experience bringing families up close to an array of fascinating creatures, from antelope to zebra. Have fun feeding a giraffe, visit Parakeet Mansion and ride a camel, too!
Expect a lot of what the Wilson County Fair is renowned for, including numerous livestock shows, live entertainment, carnival games for prizes and killer food!
Other highlights of the Wilson County Fair include:
• Kids Night is Thursday, Aug. 22. Ages 3 – 8 can compete in the battery power toy ride race and the pedal push tractor toy race.
• Doodles the Clown performs nightly at 6:30, 7:30 & 8:30 p.m. and 2:30 & 4:30 p.m. Sat – Sun.
• The Antique Car Show on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 1 p.m.
• STEM activities for children in the little red roof school house.
Featured photo at top: The Wilson County Fair's Midway.
