That’s right, the Polk County Fair opens later this afternoon to start off the five days of fun with a wide variety of events for all ages to enjoy.

Last minute preparations were completed over the past couple of days at the fairgrounds by organizers with the Exchange Club of Cedartown, who put on the fair annually to raise money for various local organizations and projects throughout the year. Fair President Richard Long said that by 5 p.m. this afternoon, the fairgrounds will be ready to put on the show.

Rides are setup and ready for patrons, the exhibition hall has everyone in place (except for the Polk Today booth, which we’re putting the finishing touches on before the gates open) and even the sunshine is out to help dry out the fairground from several days of rain.

The forecast does include a slight chance for showers between 4 and 8 p.m., but at 30% they aren’t to be expected. Temperatures are up to 85 for the day, and down to 64.

Wednesday night schedule

The schedule begins with the Miss Polk County Fair pageant beginning at 6 p.m. Several age groups will be presented during the pageant, and Polk Today will have video coverage on Thursday for those who can’t attend.

Following the pageant, Will Terry will take the stage for the rest of the evening concert.

Smith and Miller Funeral Home is sponsoring Wednesday night’s fair lineup.

Tonight also is the Lamb & Goat show, which begins at 5 p.m. in the Fairgrounds Livestock barn. participants are asked to arrive between 2 and 4 p.m. for check-in for the Lamb show, as well as for goat check-in. Lambs will be up first, followed by goats 15 minutes after the conclusion of the lambs.

Reminder: the Calf show is being held at the Fairgrounds on September 17.

Pricing

General admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children and anyone 5 and under gets in free.

Armband costs start off at $25 for Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday and are $30 for Friday and Saturday nights.

The fair has been operating since 1961 and is organized annually by the Exchange Club of Cedartown. They utilize the funds raised through general admission and sales of food and beverage at the Exchange Club’s concession stand at the fairground are used to help a variety of organizations, from Our House Women’s Shelter and the Boy Scouts, to Fire Prevention materials for school children and sponsoring Crime Prevention Awareness Week.

Local businesses supporting the fair this year include Diamond Sponsor CedarChem, Gold Sponsors Hardy Realty and Gammon, McFall and Villarreall, Attorneys at Law,