The 117th Dixie Classic Fair was held from October 1st through October 10th. Weather generally cooperated until the last Sunday, with light showers on Monday, October 4th and a complete rain-out on Sunday, October 10th.

In spite of losing the final day of the Fair, attendance was up slightly from last year. Attendance for 1999 was 282,278 compared to 280,526 in 1998.

Entries were up this year to a new record of 16,298 from 15,932 last year. We paid out more in premium payments to our exhibitors this year than ever before also. Premiums paid from the 1999 Fair were $122,198.96 compared to $98,052.63 last year. The largest increase in payments to exhibitors was for livestock; adding a dairy goat show and increased participation in other livestock categories. This is something that we are particularly proud of.

In addition to the amusement rides, kiddie land and carnival midway, Fair visitors were treated to a demolition derby, Hypnotist Ken Holloway, juggler Dale Jones, concerts by The Winston-Salem/Piedmont Triad Symphony and the Sons of Tennessee, The Grass Roots, The Kinleys, Jaci Velasquez, a Puzzle Place Kid's Show, All Terrain Vehicle Racing, Antique Tractor Pulls, and Firefighters Combat Challenge. Exhibitions and shows were presented during the week by Sons of Tennessee, Adriatic Tiger Demonstrations, walk-around puppet show Sarah Nature, a model train exhibit in the annex, go-cart racing, Jerry Ward the chainsaw artist, a barnyard petting zoo, Kuykendall's Border Collies demonstration, and of course, racing pigs. The Fair had more entertainment and attractions this year than ever before, including two different acts alternating on the Clock tower stage each day resulting in nearly non-stop entertainment.

The petting zoo for children and dozens of areas of competition for all kinds of animals from roosters to swine and sheep assured the crowds of being able to see their favorite animals up close. The Fair had a record number of entries for competition for blue ribbons, with more than 70,000 square feet of exhibits that ranged from livestock, baked goods, vegetables, fine arts and flowers.

Yesterday Village continues to grow in popularity. The complex consists of 18 structures that were first built in the 1800's and reconstructed here in the Village. Most buildings have been moved to the Fairgrounds and reassembled exactly as they were when they were first built. Highlights are a one-room church, a general store, a two-story log cabin, and a one-room schoolhouse which held loom demonstrations and our newest two additions, a two story dog-trot style cabin which displays antiques and a cabin moved from Davie County which contained demonstrations by Extension Service. The Village Pavilion provided space for special contests competition. Several turn-of-the-century steam engines were displayed. Blacksmiths gave demonstrations of their fine work throughout the ten-day run of the Fair.

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