Who's having more fun? Judge Gary Howell makes a crosshand candy toss during last Thursday's Clay County Fair parade in Piggott. The annual fair wrapped-up a week long run Saturday, and enjoyed a resurgence of interest this year. (Times photo/Tim Blair) [Click to enlarge]

The 2008 edition of the Clay County Fair ended its week-long run Saturday night, just hours before Hurricane Ike blew through the region.

The final day and night of the fair, like the previous days, was well-attended as a good crowd turned out for the demolition derby.

This year's fair was held in memory of long-time Clay County E-911 coordinator and fair board member Jenny Hancock, who died earlier in the year.

"We had good crowds all week, and we're looking forward to next year," fair board president Irene Causey noted. She added that attendance was good for both of the tractor pulls, the lawnmower races and the other activities of the week. "Next year we're thinking about bringing back the draft horse pulls, we just want to keep trying to offer things that will bring the people out to the fairgrounds," Causey added.

The annual fair kicked off on Saturday, Sept. 6, with a full day of pageants in the commercial building, along with the antique tractor pull and youth day activities. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were check-in and set-up days, and on Thursday evening the annual parade was held. Later that evening there was a full schedule of lawnmower races at the fairgrounds.

Friday night there was a tractor pull in the fairgrounds arena, and participants were on hand from all across the region. That afternoon the judging of dairy, beef and horses was also completed.

Saturday morning the annual canine contest was held in the showbarn, and a variety of antique tractors were on display. That evening the week-long event wrapped up with both a peewee and regular demolition derby in the arena.

Early Sunday morning, as the remnants of Hurricane Ike pushed through the region, the fairgrounds did sustain some wind damage. There was damage to the restroom facilities, as a block privacy wall was destroyed on the south side of the building. A portable building that was being displayed by a vendor at the fairgrounds was also destroyed when it was flipped by the high winds.

The Clay County Fair Association offered thanks to everyone who made this year's fair possible, and to all those who attended. They also reported the fairgrounds will be hosting a circus late this month, and added that details will be released soon.