Neshoba County Fair begins Friday. Statewide political speakers start Wednesday. See details

The Neshoba County fair begins Friday morning, with the annual mix of politics, entertainment, food and socializing set to take place over the following week.

The event, which was first staged in 1889, will see candidates in some the state's top political races face off, often in back-to-back speeches, including those in the hotly contested races for governor and lieutenant governor.

On Tuesday, political speakers are limited to local Neshoba County candidates.

On Wednesday, Republican candidate for lieutenant governor Chris McDaniel will be immediately followed by the Republican who currently holds the job, and is trying to keep McDaniel from taking it, Delbert Hosemann.

Then, on Thursday, incumbent Gov. Tate Reeves, the likely Republican nominee, will immediately follow his Democratic challenger Brandon Presley.

There will also be a historic goodbye from Founders Square, as Philip Gunn will give his last fair speech as speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives on Thursday. Gunn is stepping down from the position, and the chamber, after a new House is elected. Though he has promised to return to public service, he has yet to announce what in what form or position that will be. Gunn is scheduled to speak immediately before Presley and Reeves.

Some of the more interesting aspects of political speeches at the fair are the time limits. On Tuesday, local candidates are given five minutes each. Then, on Wednesday and Thursday, all candidates — from those running for the public service commission to those seeking the governor's mansion — are given the same amount of time: 10 minutes.

Political Speakers

Tuesday, July 25

• 8:45 a.m. — Patrick Burt (R), candidate for Constable, Place One, Neshoba County

• 8:50 a.m. — Cortez Peebles (Ind.), candidate for Constable, Place One, Neshoba County

• 8:55 a.m. — Devon Marshall (R), candidate for Supervisor, Dist. 2, Neshoba County

• 9 a.m. — Kinsey Smith (R), candidate for Supervisor, Dist. 3, Neshoba County

• 9:05 a.m. — David Carter (R), candidate for Supervisor, Dist. 5, Neshoba County

• 9:10 a.m. — Brad Stuart (R), candidate for Chancery Clerk, Neshoba County

• 9:15 a.m. — Gidget Stovall Tate (R), candidate for Chancery Clerk, Neshoba County

• 9:20 a.m. — Bill Carter (Ind.), candidate for Election Commissioner, Dist. 4, Neshoba County

• 9:25 a.m. — Michael Cassidy (R), candidate for State Representative, District 45

• 9:35 a.m. — Heather Rushing Kennedy (R), candidate for Circuit Clerk, Neshoba County

• 9:40 a.m. — Grant Myers (R), candidate for Circuit Clerk, Neshoba County

• 9:45 a.m. — Shannon Chaney Morrow (R), candidate for Circuit Clerk, Neshoba County

• 9:50 a.m. — Delana Waddell (R), candidate for Circuit Clerk, Neshoba County

• 9:55 a.m. — Jesse Hamilton (R), candidate for Sheriff, Neshoba County

• 10 a.m. — Eric Clark (R), candidate for Sheriff, Neshoba County

Wednesday, July 26

• 8:30 a.m. — DeKeither Stamps (D), candidate Public Service Commission, Central District

• 8:40 a.m. — Brent Bailey (R), candidate Public Service Commission, Central District

• 8:50 a.m. — Terry Rogers II (D), candidate for Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner

• 9 a.m. — Bethany Hill (D), candidate for Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner

• 9:10 a.m. — Robert "Brad" Bradford (D), candidate for Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner

• 9:20 a.m. — Andy Gipson (R), candidate for Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner

• 9:30 a.m. — Mike Chaney (R), candidate for Insurance Commissioner

• 9:40 a.m. — Greta Kemp Martin (D), candidate for Attorney General

• 9:50 a.m. — Lynn Fitch (R), candidate for Attorney General

• 10 a.m. — Shane Quick (R), candidate for lieutenant governor

• 10:10 a.m. — Tiffany Longino (R), candidate for lieutenant governor

• 10:20 a.m. — Chris McDaniel (R), candidate for lieutenant governor

• 10:30 a.m. — Delbert Hosemann (R), candidate for lieutenant governor

Thursday, July 27

• 8:40 a.m. — C. Scott Bounds (R), candidate for State Rep., District 44

• 8:50 a.m. — Shuwaski Young (D), candidate for Secretary of State

• 9 a.m. — Michael Watson (R), candidate for Secretary of State

• 9:10 a.m. — Addie Lee Green (D), candidate for State Treasurer

• 9:20 a.m. — David McRae (R), candidate for State Treasurer

• 9:30 a.m. — Larry Bradford (D), candidate for State Auditor

• 9:40 a.m. — Shad White (R), candidate for State Auditor

• 9:50 a.m. — Willie Simmons (D), candidate for Transportation Commissioner, Central District

• 10 a.m. — David Hardigree (R), candidate for Governor

• 10:10 a.m. — John Witcher (R), candidate for Governor

• 10:20 a.m. — Philip Gunn (R), Speaker, Mississippi House of Representatives

• 10:30 a.m. — Brandon Presley (D), candidate for Governor

• 10: 40 a.m. — Tate Reeves (R), candidate for Governor

Important information for attendees

The Neshoba County Fair fairgrounds are located on Mississippi 21 South in Philadelphia.

The full schedule for each day's events can be found on the fair website. In addition to political speakers, the fair features music acts, horse racing, amusement rides, livestock and other attractions. On Sunday, there are featured worship opportunities, including performances and a service.

Though many people stay on fairgrounds through the night, fair programing runs until 1 a.m. each night, when the Midway and concessions stands close. On the last night, the fair closes at midnight.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Reeves, Presley, Hosemann, McDaniel all to speak at Neshoba this week