Boyd County Fair Announces 2023 Dates and Redbud Craft/Vendor Show
Grace Phillips
Ashland Beacon
The days are longer, the trees are blooming, and the birds are singing which means the Boyd County Fair Board is hard at work planning this year’s fair. Since 1991, the Boyd County Fair has been a constant in the area. This year’s fair will be August 22-26 with pre-fair events on August 18th & 19th.
Fair president, Ellen Keaton tells us, “We strive to have something for everyone during fair week…music, motorsports, pageants, wrestling, horse shows, a rodeo…not just carnival rides.”
The music this year will feature gospel and bluegrass. The Browders will headline gospel night. The Browders are rapidly becoming one of Christian music’s most acclaimed groups. The family band’s album, Time Machine, yielded a record-breaking seven #1 hits. The current CD includes the #1 song, “You’re Not In This Alone” and the current single, “When God Says Wait.”
Keaton continued, “We are very excited to bring Bluegrass Music back to the fair this year with special guest Hammertowne.” Hammertowne creates their hard-driving sound with one foot in the traditional arena and the other in the progressive arena, which is reflected in the original songs they write and perform.
Other events returning to the fair will feature two nights of motocross, a demolition derby, the King Brothers Rodeo, and the Miss Boyd County Fair pageants. New to the fair this year on Saturday, August 26th is the Barker Family Farm Petting Zoo.
The Boyd County Fair is a 501c3 nonprofit that is run totally by volunteers. Brenda Phelps tells us that one of the biggest hurdles the fair faces each year is a lack of volunteers. “To put on a fair of this size, it takes so many people. We struggle each year to have enough volunteers in place to make the fair flow smoothly.” Christy Utley who has been with the fair for the past seven years went on to say, “It’s a crazy week. Everyone is tired at the end of the day, but it is also very rewarding to see all the smiling faces and a successful event.” If anyone is interested in being a volunteer for a day or the entire week, he/she should call the fair at 606.585.0514.
The fair board will spend approximately $35,000 on events and entertainment for the week. This money comes from sponsors and fundraising events. The first of these events will be the 3rd Annual Redbud Craft and Vendor Show on Saturday, April 15th at the Boyd County Convention Center. This is one way to help raise money for the events during the fair. According to Ellen Keaton, there are over 50 different crafters and vendors scheduled to be at the show. “I am very excited about the different crafters/vendors we have lined up. You can find about anything you want. There will be handmade crafts, wood items, candles, wreaths, spices, jewelry, boutique clothing, and many different direct market vendors.” She also said that concessions will be available throughout the day. The show will run from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission is free, so stop by and support the area’s local vendors.
Additional events and plans are still being developed with a complete schedule to be released in the coming weeks. You can follow all the events and details at boydcountyfair.com or on Facebook. For specific questions or information call Ellen Keaton at 606.585.0514.