Students at Harding have frequently found themselves lost over the years trying to find things to do in Searcy without having to go too far. Searcy may have limited entertainment opportunities, but for one week in the fall, White County steps it up.
\nAs the county seat, Searcy will host the annual White County Fair Sept. 9-14. People from all over the county can come together to enjoy events such as bull riding, the rodeo and the demolition derby. There are many things that fair regulars say are \u201cmust sees\u201d and others you can skip right over.
\nSearcy native and junior Emma Williams has been participating in fair events like cooking competitions and showing animals for as long as she can remember. She officially started competing at age 5, entering a baked goods competition, as well as showing her cow, \u201cLily\u201d.
\n\u201cI stopped showing sheep and cows when I turned 15 but continued in baking competitions until I graduated high school,\u201d Williams said. \u201cMy family is still very much involved in the state fair.\u201d
\nThe fair is a large scale event with lots of visitors from all over White County. Some visitors may get overwhelmed if they don\u2019t know where to go or what to see.
\n\u201cMy advice would be to carpool to get there because parking can get expensive, and make sure to check the best nights to go \u2014 some nights have discounts for students,\u201d Williams said. \u201cThe rides are super fun, but make sure you go through the barns and see the animals as well. Those kids have spent many long hours working on those projects and animals.\u201d
\nJunior Jasie Mason, a student from Bald Knob, has been visiting the fair for as long as she can remember.
\n\u201cIf you are thinking of visiting the fair for the first time, make sure you go on armband night so you can ride all the rides as many times as you want,\u201d Mason said. \u201cIf you have limited time I would definitely go on Saturday night and see the demolition derby, because it is just so fun.\u201d
\nAn armband night lets visitors buy an armband in exchange for unlimited rides and attractions. This year\u2019s armband nights will be held Sept. 15-16 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sept. 19 from1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
\nJunior Carissa Caples from Rose Bud, agreed that the rides and demolition derby are a fun, integral part of the fair, but she said the barns are where you see the true heart of the fair.
\n\u201cGrowing up, the fair was always the one week I looked forward to the most, and I have never missed a year since I began going,\u201d said Caples. \u201cI love the rides, but my favorite thing is walking through the barns and seeing the pure joy and pride on the faces of the young cowboys and cowgirls. I never get tired of it.\u201d
\nFair food is often talked about, not only in White County, but all over the country. Williams, Mason and Caples all agreed that the fair would not be the same if there weren\u2019t funnel cakes available.
\n\u201cFair food is amazing, but take my advice \u2014 never eat fried Oreos, a funnel cake, fried chicken and french fries at the same time. Just don\u2019t,\u201d said Williams.
\nGoing to the fair is a long-favored and beloved tradition for the people of White County. The fair will run Sept. 9-14. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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