Malia Riggs

Elmore Autauga News

Everything was sparkling at the 57th Annual Autauga County Fair at Mac Gray Park this week. The fair lasts until Saturday, so you still have time to see everything.

Since it began on Tuesday, there has been plenty of entertainment, local high school bands, dancers, exhibits, food, rides, animals and fun.

“The fair focuses on community and home. We think about the families here and working with the community. We work 100% on a voluntary basis. We are not here to make a profit, even if we are not against it. But we’re focused on a community and a family,” said John Hudak, a longtime Autauga County Fair attendee and 13-year volunteer.

The fair is held in Prattville at Mac Gray Park, where SonShine Amusements offers rides and entertainment as well as concessions. Hodak stated that not much has changed at the fair over the years, except for the vendor and 4-H involvement, which Hodak said has gradually increased over the years.

If you're joining us tonight or tomorrow, here are the events:

Friday – The fairgrounds opens at 5 p.m. and admission is $5. Tickets for the Midway ride will be sold from 6 to 10 p.m Main stage – 6 p.m. Evolve Studio of the Arts. 7 p.m. 3 broke girls. 8:30 p.m. – Consumer Funk.

Saturday – All day long! – The fairgrounds are open at noon and admission is $5. Half-way ticket rides are sold from 1 to 5 p.m. Armbands sell for $20. The rides are temporarily closed from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. However, the evening session will continue from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Only tickets for the evening session will be sold.

Jeep vs. Bronco Fall Car Showdown! Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Calling all Jeep and Bronco fans. For registration information, call Tanner Parrish at 334-235-3426.

Main Stage – 11:00 a.m. Fairest of the Fair Competition. 1:45 p.m. Children's dance party with DJ Tanner. 3:15 p.m. Madeline Mae. 4:45 p.m. Lacy and Todd Duo. 5:15 p.m. Children's bicycle drawings. 6:15 p.m. Spike Graham Orchestra. 8pm Ps Tou La. Band.

The Youth Beef Cattle Show will be held at Pecan Grove on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. The Youth Meat Goat Show will take place at 12:30 p.m.

During the fair you can register to win a television!

Pick up a free “passport” at the Gene and Virgini Hall Commercial Vendor Building and ask all the booths on display to stamp your passport. Once you've visited each booth and your passport is full, enter it into the Saturday night raffle for a brand new TV. You don't have to be present to win. You will be contacted with your passport information.

This past week saw great numbers of visitors and plenty of things to enjoy, see and do.

Local performances from dance studios such as CJ's Dance Factory, Mann Dance Studio and Evolve Studio of Arts were a large part of the fair. From local high schools, the Prattville High School Band and the Marbury High School Band both performed Thursday evening and local artists Raising Scouts, Kevin Thompson, Caleah and David, Anna Bones, Simply Southern Sounds, 3 Broke Girls, Custodian of Funk, Madeline Mae and the Lacy & Todd duo have participated or will participate.

Other performances, demonstrations and activities included the Chungs Tae Kwon Do demonstration on Thursday evening, and activities such as the Fairest of the Fair competition and children's bicycle drawings took place on Saturday.

Fairgoers will also have the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of animals at the Tickled Pink Petting Zoo, including goats, donkeys, miniature horses and even a small cow.

Hodak said the petting zoo is a fairground attraction that he and many other fairground volunteers visit every evening, explaining that for them it is like therapy at the end of the night.

“What I really like about my volunteer work at the fair is seeing how happy the children and families are. We laugh every night we volunteer, especially when we go to the petting zoo,” Hodak said.