OXFORD — The Oxford Fairgrounds gates will open for an inaugural community day on Sunday, kicking off the weeklong Oxford Fair.
Sunday’s events start at 9 a.m., and booths showcasing local nonprofits will be on display throughout the day. A Winter Warmth Road Race, featuring both a five-kilometer race and one-mile fun run, will open registration at 8 a.m. and kick off at 9 a.m. Proceeds will benefit Dancing Trees’ Staying Warm Program to provide winter clothing and firewood to families in need. The entry fees are $15 for the five-kilometer race and $5 for the fun run.
Sunday will also include animal demonstrations and harness racing at 1:30 p.m. Admission is $1 on Sunday, with an additional $1 each for parking and midway rides.
Monday will have bingo competitions open at 5 p.m. On Tuesday, a casino night and chicken barbecue dinner will begin at 7 p.m. The midway will not be open, and there will be no admission or parking fees on either day. Tickets for the barbecue and casino night may be purchased at the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce. The price is $10 for people 14 and older and $5 for people 13 and younger.
Wednesday’s agricultural events feature ox and steer pull competitions beginning at 10 a.m., as well as harness racing at 3 p.m. and a demolition derby at 7 p.m.
Thursday will focus on senior citizens’ events, such as bingo and checkers at 10 a.m., a frying pan throw at 2 p.m., and classic movies at 3 p.m. Additional events, such as draft horse pulls at 10:30 a.m. and harness racing at 3 p.m., will also be held.
Friday includes the Woodman’s Day contests, which begin at 10 a.m. for the youth contest and noon for adults. Harness racing and the demolition derby again return at 3 and 7 p.m., respectively, and the day’s events will also feature a 9 a.m. horse show and 6:30 p.m. pig scramble. The fair closes Saturday, Sept. 18, with a number of 4-H animal shows beginning at 9 a.m., a pig scramble at noon, harness racing at 3 p.m., and truck and tractor pulls at 7 p.m.
The fair is also partnering with WTHT 99.9 to host a premiere “Country Up” battle of the bands. Performances begin at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, the schedule calling for eight performances each day and four bands advancing to the next stage. The finale, with 12 performances, is set for 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18.
Winners will be chosen that evening, with a grand prize of $25,000; second place prize of $7,500; and third place and people’s choice prizes of $2,500. The numbers of the performers might change during the fair.
Adult admission is $5 for Wednesday and Thursday and $10 for Friday and Saturday. Senior admission is $5 Thursday. Children 10 and under are admitted free. Week passes may also be purchased at the fair office. Parking is $2 daily.
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