Fair Board nixes Fair beer garden!

Come on down...

Taney County MO - Apparently, a member of the Taney County Fair Board (Donald Helms) went before the Board of Aldermen last Monday, March 20th to apply for a temporary permit to sell beer in a beer garden area during this year's coming Taney County Fair. The answer was a resounding no! The Forsyth Board of Aldermen, acting unanimously, cited numerous reasons for turning down the request, indicating that such a move would be 'going down the wrong path,' to put it into the words of Alderwoman Cheryl Altis. Mayor Eddie Coleman was also '100 percent against it' saying that he feared such a permit might serve to dissuade more people than it would attract.

Personally, I'm all in favor of the curtailing of certain 'non-desirable' elements like out of control drinking and would even be in favor of taking more drastic measures to insure the continued purity and attractiveness of the event. Perhaps in the future, the board would also consider the banning of smokers as these people might also 'send the wrong sort of signal to our youth'. (Just imagine a smoke free Fair and how much fun that would be for everyone). Also, there is the health and visual questions of having too many obese individuals strolling around as living advertisements to our youths to perhaps 'overindulge' and to 'eat in an irresponsible manner'. Perhaps they should consider banning those people too, in order that our future Fairs take on a more modernistic and even Aryan appearance...

Now for me personally, I don't plan to attend this year, as I really dislike the Shoals Bend location for many and sundry reasons. But, that's just me! [For the record, the author regularity swills beers, used to smoke heavily and is as fat as a tick].

It’s the 2011 Fall Taney Demolition Derby!

Coming to Forsyth Missouri on September the 10^th 2011, will be the annual Fall Demolition Derby sponsored by the Taney County Fair Board of Taney County Missouri! It will be held at the new Fair grounds known also as Shoals Bend Park. The action starts at 7PM and admission is $5 for adults while children six and under will be admitted free. For additional information call 417-546-4277 or visit the official website at www.taneycountyfair.org! (Please click on the picture above to gleam additional information and details)!

It came as a great surprise to me that my entry - 'Da Crusher' was not allowed to compete! What gives with dat? Something about my tires being a tad too large! OK, there may be something to that! Maybe next year!

The Taney Fair is just days away!

Scheduled to open on Tuesday, June the 14^th, the Taney County Fair for 2011 is located at a brand new venue located off Hwy 76 just past the bridge at Corner Stone Drive (see maps). The new location was needed due to the flooded condition of Shadow Rock Park. A location, I understand, that will no longer be used by the county for future fair events.

I was very impressed with the amount of progress that the mostly volunteer group of men and women has made in such short time. The rodeo arena area looks to be almost complete and should work out quite well. It looks to me that all that’s needed now are the rides, vendors and people, of course!

I plan to attend the Fair on at least a few of the days. Each of the five nights is packed with some great events. Must sees for me will be the tractor pull events on Thursday the 17th and the Demolition Derby on Friday the 18th. Information concerning events to be held can be found at the Taney County Fair site.

Work now proceeding on the 2011 Taney County Fair Site

Work is underway by volunteers connected with the Taney County Fair Board as they get things ready for the 2011 Taney County Fair. The Fair will be held this year at Shoals Bend Park due to the heavy rains that have closed Shadow Rock for much of the season.

According to Dennis House, President of the Taney County Fair Board, they still need finishing materials for the arena in addition to such items as a dump truck to help meet what is surely a tight schedule. I understand that the City of Forsyth is helping out with its equipment, but more is needed due to time constraints. The Fair is scheduled to run from June 14 to the 18^th and as you can see much remain to be done. That said, the folks on the Fair Board along with volunteers are used to challenges.

Anyone wishing to donate or find out how they can help is urged to call Mr. House at 417-527-5241. Also, check out the Taney County Fair Site for more information.

The Taney County Fair Video is now available

One would think, after shooting hours of video, that I would be able to come up with some sort of story line to visually show what was a most excellent five day event. Trouble was, a County Fair by its very nature, is a chaotic mix of many elements. There are crafts, music, food vendors, rides and politicians all competing for your attention.. Throw in some animals running amok and automobiles bent on complete destruction and what you get is a visceral and informational miasma that pleasantly assaults the senses from every direction. (Sort of like Congress on a good day).

So, putting something together for my You Tube Channel video was rather a challenge.  Not wanting to subject my audience to the raucous sounds of machinery gone wild!  I attempted to match a background musical track that had some semblance of relationship to the topic at hand. In the end, I came to realize that a Fair is really more about the people that attend it and how well they enjoy the experience, Thanks DanO!

Taney County Fair Update

Friday afternoon at the Taney County Fair was a great time in spite of the heat. With temperatures hovering in the nineties, it was great to feel a nice breeze kick up in the late afternoon. This week marks the longest days of the year with the sun still shining brightly at 7:30 PM. I was able to walk around and talk to many of the candidates for public office, both incumbents and those running for the first time. Everyone including Chuck Pennel (presiding Commissioner), Scott Starrett, Ron Houseman, Donna Neeley and all the others were very cordial and open to questions.

That evening, starting at 7PM, the arena was the central point of attention as the Garden Tractor pull got off with a roar. I was amazed at how many different types of tractors there were and by how powerful they appeared to be, They were also pretty loud as each contestant attempted to pull a special sled that was rigged to be more difficult to pull the further the tractor pulls it.

Tonight, Saturday, the 19^th is the main event in my opinion as the Demolition Derby will begin at 7PM. Watching a bunch of cars get destroyed is always a good crowd pleaser and this year should see a good attendance. It’s cheap entertainment at only $5 at the gate. So, come on down and I’ll see you there!

Taney County Fair

The Fair, now in its third day of a five day run, has proven to be worth every penny of the $5 daily admission price. Spread out over much of Shadow Rock Park in Forsyth Missouri the Taney County Fair provides a lot of fun for all ages. There are more rides than I’ve seen in recent years and food is available for almost any taste. On my last visit I had a slice of pizza that was out of this world. There are also corn dogs, hamburgers and even cotton candy for sale by the various vendors.

The Fair is also a good opportunity to have a chance to get up close and personnel with some of the politicians that are running for office this fall. They have booths set up and are more than happy to discuss the issues of the day. Some of these politicians will be speaking publicly on the stage at around 7PM on Friday evening.

Tonight (Thurs, June the 17^th) at 6:30PM the very popular Little Miss Taney Beauty Contest will be held on the stage. Then at 7PM get ready for some hilarious action as the kids get a chance at Mutton Bustin. This will be followed by a good old fashioned Steer and Calf riding contest.

So grab your family and friends and come out to make an evening of it.

Taney County Fair Summary

Event Dates: Tuesday, June 15th through Saturday, June 19th, 2010

Stage Entertainment:

Tuesday, June 15th – Thrill Billys 7PM
Wednesday, June 16th – Mike & Nancy Micham 7PM
Thursday, June 17th – Little Miss Taney County – 6:30 PM
Friday, June 18th – Open mic & Politicians speak – 7PM
Saturday, June 19th – Open Mic – 7PM

Arena Events:
Tuesday, June 15th - Rodeo 7PM
Wednesday, June 16th - Rodeo 7PM
Thursday, June 17th - Mutton Bustin  7PM
Friday, June 18th - Garden Tractor Pull 7PM
Saturday, June 19th - Demolition Derby 7PM

Demolition Derby

This is one of those events that feels uniquely American to me! I attended the event last year and have to tell you it was a very enjoyable experience. The action starts at 7PM! Make sure you attend!

There will also be a Horseshoe Event on Saturday at 8:30 AM

Admission is $5 each day. Arm bands are $16.00 for the rides. The Gate opens at 4PM each day.