Fair closes after five days of food, fun, and community competitions

One of Chowan County’s most cherished institutions, the Chowan County Regional Fair, has finished for another year, closing on Saturday, Sept. 28 after a five-day run.

Thousands attended the fair, many traveling from across northeastern North Carolina for the rides, exhibits, competitions, and outrageously good food.

Figures on attendance were not available at press time, but reports from the fair indicate that ticket sales were strong and the fair was well attended. Most competitions had also not posted their results, but community participation in the exhibits, pageants, and agricultural displays was strong.

A Miss Chowan County Regional Fair competition, Little Miss, and Wee Little Miss contests gave girls the chance to demonstrate poise and grace during the pageants.

Those competitions were the only events reporting results at press time for the newspaper on Tuesday. The winners included:

Miss Chowan County Regional Fair: Layla Webster; runner-up: Juliana Slades.

Chowan County Little Miss: Adaley Biggs; first runner-up, Charlotte Swart; second runner-up, Riley Radke.

Chowan County Wee Little Miss: Mylah Mallory; first runner-up, Luna Cuellar; second runner-up Beth Marie Fanning.

Other competitions included a Table Setting Competition with a Tea Party 250th Anniversary theme, a giant pumpkin contest, a scavenger hunt, a youth brick building contest, a toddler’s “diaper derby” race, and a coloring page competition for kids.

Magicians, musicians, and exotic animals kept dozens of fans enthralled on the fair’s stage, including a tiger act that was a big hit with youth.

Arcade games, a massive fun house, a Ferris wheel, and a host of rides were available, making sure that fairgoers got tilted and hurled in more directions than a ride-along with the Blue Angels. Visiting the extensive collections of food vendors was advisable after taking advantage of the rides.

The Chowan County Regional Fair has been operating in one form or another since 1947, growing steadily into one of North Carolina’s premiere community fairs. The fair is sponsored by American Legion Post 40 and is made possible by the dedicated help of dozens of volunteers who manage everything from food kiosks to parking.