120th Benton County Fair to come out swinging with extended carnival

BENTONVILLE — The Benton County Fair will kick off its 120th outing with an extended carnival featuring multiple new rides.

The fair will run Friday through Sept. 28 at the Benton County Fairgrounds and Expo Center at 7640 S.W. Regional Airport Blvd.

Nakia Gully, executive director of the fair, said the fair will open its carnival for Friday through Monday before the full fair starts Tuesday with elements such as various livestock competitions, commercial vendors, additional food trucks and musical entertainment.

Gully said the fair wanted to give the community an extra weekend of fun and excitement, as well as ensure the carnival would still be successful if it rains on the weekend. The carnival will include rides, food, games and a petting zoo with pony and camel rides.

“We’re excited that we’re able to serve our great community, showcase our wonderful 4-H and (Future Farmers of America) local groups, bring entertainment to our community and just bring fun,” she said.

Ashley Hays, Benton County Fair Board president, estimated the attendance for this year’s fair should reach the 35,000 to 40,000 range with the extended carnival, provided the weather remains good. More than 30,000 people came out for the event each of the last couple years, he said.

Hays said the fair is an event the community still drives and supports, especially the rural community.

“The people in the urban areas are coming and participating, but the rural, ag area really pushes this over the hump and keeps supporting it and makes it the success it is,” he said.

Hays described the fair as a good central point for people to participate in a weeklong activity that allows them to show off projects they’ve been working on, such as livestock, arts and crafts, and growing fruits and vegetables, among others.

Freddy Miller, owner of Miller Spectacular Shows, said his Greenbrier-based company will provide the fair’s carnival midway about 25 rides, six food trailers and many games for all ages. The premier new ride people will be able to enjoy this year will be the Eclipse, which he characterized as very wild, intense and fast.

“What I’ve used to describe this before, this ride was built over in Europe, and a lot of the American ride manufacturers years ago started using the term ‘pushing the envelope,'” Miller said. “Well, overseas they decided to take that envelope, wad it up into a ball and set it on fire.”

The Eclipse seats 20 people at a time on a large spinning disk, according to Miller. Riders are organized into five groups of seats that turn with centrifugal force while the disk is spinning, with the ride simultaneously moving the disk up into and around the air at an approximately 65- to 70-degree angle.

Only three Eclipse rides exist in the entire world, Miller said. The Eclipse that’ll be at the fair is the only one in North America.

Miller said he’ll also bring the Hot Air Balloon Ferris Wheel, another new ride that brings riders up about 40 feet in the air in eight large, enclosed hot air balloons. Children will be able to enjoy another addition with the Pirate’s Revenge as well.

Miller Spectacular Shows midway has operated in more than 18 states and the Bahamas, according to the company’s website.

Music lovers will be able to take in Kevin Upshaw & One Night Stand and Confederate Railroad on Tuesday, according to a schedule Gully provided. This will be followed by performances from the Abbey Pierce Band and Britnee Kellogg on Wednesday, Phil McGarrah & Runnin On Empty on Thursday, SnapBack and Party Line Band on Sept. 27 and Brian Odle & The Hillbilly Underground and the White River Band on Sept. 28.

Gully said more than 200 animals will be shown during the fair’s livestock competitions. The fair will hold its junior livestock auction Thursday. People will have exhibits on display at the fair’s exhibit hall as well.

Other events at the fair include new performance dog shows Tuesday through Thursday, senior day bingo and a youth shoot competition Thursday, a goat costume contest Sept. 27 and a bike rodeo Sept. 28, according to the schedule.

Gate admission to the fair will cost $15 Friday-Saturday and Sept. 27-28, and $10 Sunday through Thursday, the schedule states. It will start at 5 p.m. each day except for Sunday, at which point the gates will open at 1 p.m. Gate admission comes with unlimited carnival rides.

Gully noted admission is cash only.

Robert Massie holds a bucket full of baseballs Thursday at the break a plate booth at the Benton County Fairgrounds in Bentonville. Visit nwaonline.com/photo for today’s photo gallery.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)

Connie Boger, owner of Animal Specialities, a hands-on educational exhibit, brings her dairy cow, Lucy, to water Thursday at the Benton County Fairgrounds in Bentonville. Visit nwaonline.com/photo for today’s photo gallery.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)

Raymond Light sets out prizes Thursday at a kid’s fishing booth at the Benton County Fairgrounds in Bentonville. Visit nwaonline.com/photo for today’s photo gallery.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)

A Ferris wheel awaits riders Thursday at the Benton County Fairgrounds in Bentonville. Visit nwaonline.com/photo for today’s photo gallery.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)