HAMLET — The barn is full for this year’s Richmond County Agricultural Fair.
The annual event, which combines the county’s agricultural heritage with amusement rides and carnival games, starts Thursday, Sept. 10 and runs through Sunday, Sept. 13.
New to the barn this year will be an emu, joining traditional livestock like cows, donkeys, rabbits, chickens, ducks, geese and guineas.
On display will be award-winning arts and crafts and display booths from several organizations, including Richmond Senior High School’s Future Farmers of America.
The Hive will sponsor the Lego Mania building competition from 6-7 p.m. on Thursday and the Girl Scout Van will be on site from 5-8 p.m. Friday.
Entertainment through the week will include the Hamlet Senior Center Choir, two dance groups, Bob Dotson and the Cameronian Boys. There will also be karaoke on Sunday.
Several food vendors will be on site throughout the weekend with a variety of menu options including Simon’s Kitchen, Two Dogs on the Run, Jacobs Bangin’ Bites, Soda Fusion and Riverside Bakery.
The Hamlet Senior Center will also be hosting a Bingo fundraiser Thursday-Saturday with two cards per game at $1.
On opening night, seniors 55 and older and students get in for free. The first 50 seniors who come to the bingo shelter and say “I’m proud to be a senior” will receive a free gift bag. General admission is $5. Kids 5 and under also get in for free.
Fair organizers say students who enter after 9 p.m. Thursday must be accompanied by an adult. Hoods, facemasks and back packs are all prohibited, per the Hamlet Police Department.
Wristbands for the rides, provided by R&D Amusement Rides, are $25 each.
Hours are:
The fair, which has been running for more than 60 years, serves as the main fundraiser for the Hamlet Lions Club. Members volunteer each year to organize and run the event.
Proceeds from the fair allow the Lions Club to provide vision screenings in the community, as well as transportation for the visually impaired to Camp Dogwood and the annual VIP Fishing Tournament on the Outer Banks. The club also helps to pay for eye glasses for visually impaired adults.
To join, contact the club through its Facebook page.
