For the first time, the Union County Fair will sell beer during its concert.
Beer and other alcoholic beverages will be sold only during the Travis Denning, Dillon Carmichael and North to Nashville concert on Wednesday night.
Jared Kuhlwein, a member of the Union County Fair Board of Directors, said selling beer during the concert will help to create the atmosphere people expect at a concert.
“It’s not just another night at the fair, but an experience,” Kuhlwein said.
He said those attending the fair will have their ID checked by a private security company when they enter the gates. Anyone over 21 will be given a wristband and will be able to purchase tickets that can be exchanged for a 24-ounce beer. Sales will begin when gates open at 5 p.m.
Alcoholic beverages will be sold by Fisher Beverages at two separate stations, both in the concert area.
Individuals will not be able to leave the grandstand area with these drinks.
Kuhlwein said selling beer during the concert was approved by the Union County Fair Board and Agricultural Society because it has multiple benefits for the fair as a whole.
He said many other county fairs have added beer sales, so doing so allows the Union County Fair to be more competitive and draw people from other regions.
“We needed to get with the times,” Kuhlwein said.
He also said selling beer will provide another “stream of revenue” that helps to fund other entertainment and improve the fair.
However, he said the night won’t be “100% about the adults” and there will be places for children where alcohol isn’t available.
Kuhlwein said there is a specific section for 4-H and FFA members away from the grandstand. Essentially, he said alcohol sales will be kept to the west end, while children’s areas will be on the east side.
He also said the Union County Fair Board has been working with the Sheriff’s office and the Commissioner’s office to put safety measures in place, including a designated area for Uber drivers to pick up concert-goers.
“It’s not just a shot in the dark, we’ve really put a lot of thought into it,” Kuhlwein said.
He said this year will be a “test-run,” but he hopes to continue alcohol sales in the future.
The fair will feature other entertainment throughout the week, including the following events.
At the grandstand:
– Harness racing, Saturday and Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
– Demolition Derby, Sunday at 6 p.m.
– Straw stacking race, Monday at 7 p.m.
– Tough Trucks, Tuesday at 7 p.m.
– Bull riding, Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
– COPTA truck and tractor pulls, Friday at 7 p.m.
– NTPA truck and tractor pulls, Saturday at 6 p.m.
At the pavilion:
– Charlie Bacall’s Musical Odyssey, Sunday, Friday and Saturday from 2-8 p.m.
– Frozen t-shirt contest, Monday at 6 p.m.
– Julia Neville live, Monday at 7 p.m.
– Hot dog eating contest, Tuesday at 6 p.m.
– Senior pancake breakfast, Wednesday at 9 a.m.
– Senior bingo, Wednesday at 1 p.m.
– Pizza eating contest, Wednesday at 5 p.m.
– Double K Acoustics live, Thursday at 7 p.m.
– Watermelon eating contest, Friday at 4 p.m.
– Open Class baked goods auction, Friday at 5 p.m.
– Veteran dinner, Saturday from 4-6 p.m.