Jenny Hancock

The 2008 edition of the annual Clay County Fair will kick off this Saturday, Sept. 6, and this year the members of the Fair Association have dedicated the event to the memory of Jenny Hancock. The long-time 911 coordinator, who passed away this spring, Hancock volunteered her time at the fair for some 30 years and was the first women to serve on the Fair Board.

Gayla Taylor, former Clay County Extension home economist, offered this dedication in the 2008 fair catalog:

"Jenny Hancock was a dedicated volunteer for the Clay County Fair for 30 years. She began working with the fair in the youth department when she became a 4-H Leader back in 1978. Soon after that she became a member of the Clay County Fair Board.

"Jenny was there to work at every work day --- never declining to take on any task --- cleaning buildings and bathrooms, painting and helping build exhibits. During the fair she did everything a volunteer could ever do --- she entered exhibits, assisted with the judging, prepared Best of Show exhibits, swept the floors and picked up trash. Jenny worked in the fair kitchen and worked the concession stands at every fair event. She got her husband and children involved in working at the fair as well.

"During the 1980's Jenny served as superintendent for the Educational Exhibit Building, when the Extension home Eeonomist was attending school. Jenny took on the role, performing the duties as well as the home economist did.

"Jenny Hancock was the first woman on the Fair Board. She took her duties seriously --- working to improve the Educational Exhibits and the fair buildings. She searched fair catalogs from other counties and visited fairs far and near to see what improvements could be made in the Clay County Fair.

"Jenny was the ultimate county fair volunteer. She was ready and willing to help. She loved the Clay County Fair and gave countless hours of her time working to improve it."

Hancock, 69, of Knobel, died Monday, May 19, at the NEA Baptist Medical Center in Jonesboro. She was widely known for her work as the E-911 coordinator, a job she held from 1995 until the time of her death. She was also instrumental in the effort to bring 911 to Clay County, and began working with the program in its infancy.

Dedicated in her honor, the 2008 fair will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday with kids day activities. And at 10:30 a.m. the antique tractor pull will be held in the arena. The first day of the fair will also feature the annual beauty contests and pageants, which get underway at 10:30 a.m. and continue until that evening.

Saturday night will also include the annual talent show, which is being held at 7 p.m. at the Piggott Community Center.

Those wanting more information on the tractor pull may call Terry Jones at 930-5800. For details about the pageants, contact Connie Vaughn at 544-2007 or 598-4926 and those interested in the talent show may contact Kenneth Renshaw at 598-5267 or 598-7930.

On Monday, Sept. 8, the exhibit buildings will be closed to the public until 2 p.m. when booth set-up will get underway. Poultry, rabbit and waterfowl check-in will also be going on from 3-8 p.m. that day.

Tuesday, Sept. 9, the judging will be conducted beginning at 9 a.m. and poultry, rabbit and waterfowl check-in will continue. All animals must be pre-registered and tested prior to the fair date. For information on testing, and pre-registration, contact Rick or Lisia Simpson at 634-6028. And at 7 p.m. that evening the Corning Square Dancers will perform in the commercial building.

Set-up of commercial exhibits will begin at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10, and judging of poultry, rabbits and waterfowl will get underway at 1 p.m. Fair personnel will also be checking-in livestock and horses from 1 to 8 p.m. that day.

Judging of swine, sheep, goats and livestock is slated to get underway at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11. Also on the schedule for that evening is the annual parade at 6 p.m., which will line-up at the First Baptist Church. Those wanting more information on the parade may contact Clyde Bradish at 323-2789. Later that evening, at 7 p.m. there will be lawnmower and junior lawnmower races at the fairgrounds.

The highlight of Friday, Sept. 12, will be the big tractor pull at 7 p.m. in the fairgrounds arena. All the exhibit buildings will be open, and the fair kitchen will be open throughout the week as well.

The annual canine contest will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13; also on the schedule is an all-day antique tractor show. The day's activities will wrap up at 6:30 p.m. with a demolition derby. Those wanting more information on the canine contest may contact Brenda Stacy at 598-4478, and for additional information on the demolition derby you may contact Danny Seals at 634-8047.

More details and information on this year's Clay County Fair is also available on the fair's website at wwwclaycountyarfair.com or by contacting a member of the fair board.