Clay County Fair

Thank You 2012 Livestock Buyers!!!

jackie — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:56:26 +0000

We would like to Thank all of the 2012 Livestock Buyers for a successful auction!!! Please check out the link for a complete list of our buyers.

2012 Livestock Buyers

2012 Clay County Agricultural Fair … Another Successful Event!

jackie — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:49:26 +0000

The 2012 Clay County Agricultural Fair attendance was down compared to 2011 record performance but was still a very successful event according to Pete Sutton, Fair Manager. The total attendance was 98,138. The lower numbers were due to the wash-out on the first Saturday of the fair. Last year the first Saturday was the largest day in the fair’s history, almost 23,000. This year attendance for that Saturday was just over 5,000. The fair closed temporarily twice during the day due to rain and lighting and finally closed for the day at 9:00 PM, due to the weather conditions. The fair did set three new daily records on Sunday, Wednesday, and the second Thursday. The fair enjoyed good weather for the remainder of the event even though some stormy weather was in the surrounding area. “I honestly believe we would have set another record if not for the first Saturday weather problems” said Sutton.

The new parking lot was used five times during the fair. This was a tremendous asset to eliminate any back up on State Road 16 as had been the case in previous years. In addition, more than 40% of this year’s attendance was from out of the county.

The fair was featured on all three local TV stations both on-site and in studio. The Fair’s Marketing Director, Virginia Hall, personally did the interviews and promotions along with some of this year’s entertainers. The award winning website for the fair had over 66,000 visits during the 10 day event. Daily posts helped create additional interest to over 7,600 likes on Facebook.

The 4-H/FFA Youth Livestock Sale enjoyed a great year for the youth participants. 80 swine and 19 steer were sold during the annual auction for a total of $201,944. The average price per pound was swine $6.73 and $2.86 for the steers.

Recycling is in its third year at the fair. This year’s results were much better than last year even with the lower attendance. The fair used the first totally solar powered compactor in this area. It was provided by Waste Management, one of the fairs partners in the recycling effort. Garbage was down 34% and recycling bottles and cardboard alone was up 3.4 tons compared to 2.8 tons in 2011. In addition cooking oil, hay and animal waste was also recycled. Other partners include Keep Clay Beautiful, Clay County Environmental Services and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society from St. Johns River State College.

The fair enjoyed positive feedback from its guests for its many contests, competitive exhibits, top name Nashville country artists and the Early Florida Village.

“We are truly blessed to have so many volunteers with a passion for our fair” said Sutton. “Without them the fair would not enjoy its successful trend.” Plans are now underway for next year’s fair which is scheduled for April 4-13, 2013.

Thank You

jackie — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 19:57:29 +0000

Thank You for another great fair; looking forward to seeing you again next year.

Saturday is the Last Day of the 2012 Fair

jackie — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 13:24:55 +0000

Today, April 7^th is the last day of the 2012 Clay County Agricultural Fair. Gates open at 10:00 AM and the midway opens at 11:00 AM. The weather forecast looks to be a great Fair Day! Midway armbands will be sold at $20 each until 8:00 PM, good to the midnight closing. In addition, the concert will feature the legendary Oak Ridge Boys starting at 8:00 PM in the Cattlemen’s Arena.

This year has been well attended except for the first Saturday when weather conditions hampered attendance and forced an early closing.

Come join us as we celebrate our final version of Cowbells and Carousels

Fair Day…Fantastic

jackie — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:30:21 +0000

Thursday April 5^th was Fair Day at the fair. It was a great day and the weather was super. The fair set a new Thursday sales record with 12,450 guests. School was out in Clay County for “Fair Day” and the kids came early and enjoyed the specially priced armbands to celebrate the special day. Special thanks to the Clay County School Board for their continued support of the fair.

Fair Using Solar Powered Compactor

jackie — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 18:40:42 +0000

The Clay County Agricultural Fair, in partnership with Waste Management, is using a new solar powered trash compactor. It captures the sunlight through 2 – 220 watt, 24 volt solar panels located on top of the unit. In the absence of sunlight, it can run off 2 – 12 volt batteries. The chute will hold five bags of trash that can be compacted in 39 seconds. Power cost to operate this unit is zero.

This is the latest endeavor to help the Clay County Agricultural Fair’s greening efforts. The compactor has reduced the number of open top dumpsters and will reduce the number of trash hauls.

Waste Management and the fair have partnered for the past three years to improve the fair’s recycling. Waste Management staff is promoting last year’s recycling results by wearing shirts made from recycled plastic bottles.

EXCITING NEWS!!!!!!!

jackie — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 16:15:45 +0000

Due to overwhelming response for the Colt Ford Concert we have added a limited number of additional reserved seats. These are available online and at the Main Ticket gate until SOLD OUT. They will be $10.00 each. FREE stadium seating will be available on a first come first serve basis. Due to the popularity of this event, please come early and enjoy the fair. We suggest to avoid traffic delays, you plan to arrive at 4:00 PM. Thank you!!!!

Fair Opens with Fair-tastic Weather

jackie — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 22:05:30 +0000

The Clay County Agricultural Fair opened today at noon with fair-tastic weather. The opening ceremony was attended by many local elected officials, dignitaries, and guests. The official ribbon cutting was conducted by Fair Association Chairman Johnny Mack Smith and Channel 4’s Richard Nunn. Channel 4 is the daily sponsor for Dollar Day. Crowds have been steady all afternoon enjoying the fair-tastic weather and the opening day prices.

March 28th, Last Day for Discounted Fair Tickets

jackie — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:38:27 +0000

Today is the last day to purchase advance fair tickets at the discounted prices. Individual tickets are available through the close of business today at the following Clay County locations:

Town of Penney Farms

Green Cove Springs City Hall

Keystone Heights City Hall

Town of Orange Park

Clay Electric Offices @ Orange Park and Keystone Heights

Package sales are available @ www.claycountyfair.org until midnight today and the Fair Association office until 6:00 PM

Fair Tickets Mean Cheaper Gas …Thanks to Winn Dixie

jackie — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:36:59 +0000

Winn Dixie, a Major Fair Sponsor this year is offering 25 cents per gallon off with their Fuel Perks program. Here’s how it works, take your fair admission ticket stub to your local WD and purchase $50 order, and show your stub with your WD Rewards card and get their discount. That’s easy. Thanks Winn-Dixie for your support of the Clay County Agricultural Fair.