State Fair announces 2017 dates



Dates for the 2017 Tennessee State Fair have been approved by the Fair's board of directors and have been officially announced by John Rose, chairman of the nonprofit organization responsible for the event's production.

According to Rose, the State Fair will open on Friday, September 8, and close on Sunday, September 17, for what has become a traditional 10-day run.

Now celebrating more than 150 years, the Fair is held annually at the Nashville Fairgrounds on Wedgewood Avenue.

Attracting more than 100,000 visitors each year, the Fair provides a welcoming family environment, educational experiences, a broad variety of entertainment, agriculture exhibits, and displays of some of the state's most talented artisans including photographers, quilters, pie makers, bakers and others.

While the Fair is all of this, it's also a place to enjoy a clean and safe carnival complete with the latest in thrilling rides and tastes of the midway that likely will include everything from a standard breaded hot dog on a stick to a fried candy bar.

"The State Fair is a true Tennessee tradition. The Fair annually attracts visitors and exhibitors from one side of the state to the other.

"Visitors come to enjoy a good time with family and friends, to soak up the excitement of the midway and to learn about agriculture or a hundred other topics.

"Exhibitors come to the State Fair each year because they want to compete among the very best livestock producers, crop farmers, apple pie makers, artists and others," said Rose, a Middle Tennessee businessman and former State Commissioner of Agriculture.

The Tennessee State Fair Association manages, produces and operates the Fair each year.

Members of the TSFA all volunteer board include Rose, chairman, DeKalb County; Emily Pitcock, vice chairman, Lincoln County; Will T. Cheek, III, Nashville; Justin Crowe, Knoxville; Bill Carter, Wilson County; Joe Gaines, Williamson County; Sen. Joe Haynes, Nashville; Rep. Andy Holt, Weakley County; Dr. Sam Jackson, Knoxville; Debra Kenerson, Williamson County; Tom Lane, Carroll County; Bill Mullins, Nashville; and Deborah Varallo, Nashville.

Ex-officio directors include Jim Stewart, Central Region Director, University of Tennessee Extension Service; Julie Bowling, Tennessee Farm Bureau; Boyd Barker, Tennessee Department of Agriculture; and Rob Sherrill, Tennessee Department of Tourism.

For more information about the Tennessee State Fair visit www.tnstatefair.org.