In the photo above, Shawn Ramey takes part in the four-stroke barrel race during the ATV rodeo on Thursday night. About 100 attended that event.

A rainy week leads to events being canceled or postponed

Although much needed and appreciated, last week's rainfall definitely put a "damper" on some parts of the 15th annual Alleghany Regional Agricultural Fair.

Much of the fair, held at the Justice Carlisle Higgins Agricultural Center — a.k.a. the Alleghany County Fairgrounds — beginning Aug. 26, proceeded as scheduled and went smoothly, including the livestock shows and other exhibitions and competitions.

Steady, persistent rain, however, forced cancellation and/or rescheduling of most of the special events slated for last Saturday, which was to be the culminating day of fair week.

"Ole Timey Day at the Fair," which was scheduled for midday Saturday and was to include contests such as seed-spitting, horseshoes, archery, sack races and a greased pole, was canceled.

Later that day, fair officials made the decision to postpone the second annual "CarQuest Mow Down" lawnmower race. "The bottom down there was too soggy," said Bob Edwards, director of the local N.C. Cooperative Extension Service office and interim chairman of the fair committee. "We need that area to park vehicles. The whole thing was too soupy to deal with....

"It put us in a little difficult situation, having to make a decision. We hate that." Edwards added, "We needed the rain; we can't really complain about that." The Mow Down is rescheduled for Sept. 14 at 7 p.m.

"Ole Timey Day" was not rescheduled, Edwards said, but organizers hope it can be attempted again next year.

Fun at the fair — Robin Cater (above, left) demonstrates pottery making for Victoria Hall of Sparta during what was billed as 'Ole Timey Day' at the Alleghany County Fair last Saturday. Most of the events were cancelled that day due to inclement weather.

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