Mark your calendar: 111th nine-day Chesterfield County Fair begins Friday

Kristi K. Higgins, The Progress-Index
·4 min read

CHESTERFIELD — Ready for some excitement? The 111th Chesterfield County Fair begins Friday and runs through Saturday, Sept. 3.

Attractions include challenging games with great prizes, classic carnival food, adventurous rides, animal exhibits, antique tractors, lawn mower races, a horse show, general wide-eyed thrills and much more.

The Power Wheel Derby is new this year. Visit on Wednesday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. to watch children compete, and if you feel lucky, stop by the Bingo Tent to win cash!

Have you ever wondered what it is like to throw an axe? Don your flannel shirts, flex your muscles and give it a whirl at the mobile axe throwing trailer. Perhaps you would like to channel your inner Sherlock Holmes... step into a mobile escape room immersive adventure. Use teamwork to solve puzzles and mysteries in a race against time.

The Rafter Z Rodeo will entertain ticket holders on Sept. 2 and 3 with bareback riding, team roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, breakaway, tie-down roping, barrel racing, and my personal favorite bull riding.

Brenda White Vaughn, Chesterfield County Fair General Manager, invites people to show off their talents and compete for a coveted blue ribbon by entering the Arts & Crafts competition.

"Throughout our more than 100-year history, we have proudly continued this tradition," Vaughn said.

Each year, the Arts & Crafts Building is filled with canned goods, flowers, vegetables, baked items, quilts, photography, needlework, plants, a variety of artwork and homemade crafts.

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Crowd-favorite Comedy Hypnotist Brad Matchett will be once again entertaining spectators with his family-friendly Vegas-style show. He uses volunteers in his act that will leave you in stitches.

Other attractions include a petting zoo, racing pigs, a beer garden and a chainsaw artist. See which chicken earns the crown at the Poultry Show hosted by the Virginia Cooperative Extension on Saturday, Sept. 3.

Families can also take a step back in time and take a trip through Heritage Village to observe the likes of a blacksmith, weaver, broom maker and salt maker.

If you like magic, grab a seat at the Agricadabra “Magic of Agriculture” show. It is a fun, crowd-pleasing, educational show for all ages that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.

"Our online silent auction begins on Friday, Aug. 26. The items will be on display each day at the fair," White said. "All funds raised will go towards scholarships for Chesterfield County High School seniors graduating in June of 2023. We raised $4500 last year and hope to raise even more this year."

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The 2022 Chesterfield County Fair Grandstand Lineup with shows beginning at 8 p.m. include the following:

  • Friday, Aug. 26: Trademark [Motown, disco, R&B, pop, rock, contemporary, swing, jazz]

  • Saturday, Aug. 27: Silver Bullets Band [modern day top 40 hits to 1960s classics]

  • Sunday, Aug. 28: Mill Run Bluegrass Band Departure [Journey Tribute Band]

  • Monday, Aug. 29: Miss Chesterfield County Fair Pageant

  • Tuesday, Aug. 30: Roberto Matzumoto, Studio 1R, Pillito the Clown, Danza Folclorica, Osmir Garay, Furia Band

  • Wednesday, Aug. 31: Main Street Station [country, rock]

  • Thursday, Sept. 1: David King [Elvis Tribute]

  • Friday, Sept. 2: The Embers featuring Craig Woolard [beach music]

  • Saturday, September 3: En’Novation [classic R&B, soul]

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If you have not had a chance to watch Carrie Brockwell, American Idol Season 20 contestant, perform, now is your chance. She will be singing her heart out on the Grandstand Stage on Wednesday, Aug. 31 from 7-8 p.m.

At chesterfieldcountyfair.org, you will find an updated list of entertainment, exhibits and attractions. The website also provides information on ride tickets, special deals and admission [children age 3 and under are free]. Instructions on how to bid on silent auction items will also appear on the Fair's website.

Public Safety Day is Saturday, Aug. 27. All Chesterfield County first responders with a county ID get in free. On Sunday, August 28, all retired and active military with a military ID get in free for Military Appreciation Day. On Kid's Day Monday, Aug. 29, admission for children ages 4-12 is half price.

Would you like to volunteer and be part of the Fair family? Visit the website for more information.

The Chesterfield County Fair is located at 10300 Courthouse Road in Chesterfield. Catch the fun 5 - 11 p.m Monday - Friday and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Saturdays and Sunday as well as Friday, Sept. 2.

Remember to check out the "Love" sign with artwork by Artists Kelly Cullum and Hope Norfleet. Find this story on Facebook @TheProgressIndex to share your Fair photos in the comments.

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— Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly columnist is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she, her) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow @KHiggins_PI on Twitter @socialbutterflykristi on Instagram.

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This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Chesterfield County Fair opening day Friday, August 26: Catch the fun!