EDENTON – For over 60 years the Chowan County Regional Fair has focused on providing the best entertainment in northeastern North Carolina.

Year number 63 promises to be no different.

The 63rd annual Chowan County Regional Fair begins next week at the American Legion Post 40 Fairgrounds in Edenton (1317 West Queen Street). As is tradition, the event promises something for everyone….the young and the young at heart.

“No other entertainment venue can offer so many ways for families to have fun together and learn more about agriculture,” said John P. Chilcoat, Vice President of the Chowan County Regional Fair.

The Fair gets underway at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 28 and runs through Saturday, Oct. 2. Each day is filled with various events, including a petting zoo, pony rides, the Fantazia Circus, woodworking demonstrations, pumpkin decorating, mechanical bull rides and plenty of spills and thrills on the Midway.

Entertainment is also a big part of the Chowan County Regional Fair. This year’s line-up includes the Showboat Marionettes (two shows nightly), R&B group Uphill (Sept. 28), Southern Rock group Dyversity (Sept. 29), Southern Gospel Night (Sept. 30), Country/Rock artists the Moonshine Boys (Oct. 1) and Beach music from the Ginger Thompson Band (Oct. 2).

There is also the popular “Little Miss” Pageant at 7 p.m. on Sept. 28. On the event’s final day (Saturday, Oct. 2), the Miss County Regional Fair Pageant will take center stage at 7 p.m.

The Fair is also top-heavy with exhibitors with over $12,000 cash available in prize money for that handiwork.  You may enter your exhibit on Saturday, Sept. 25 from 1-5 p.m. or from 1-6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 26. There’s only one entry per person per category to be eligible for judging.  Pre-entering your exhibit will save time.

In the Youth and Adult Division, the categories are: Art, Photography, Decorative Art, Crafts, Needlework, Sewing, Canning, Cakes, Candies, Breads, Pies, Dried Foods, Decorative Plants and Flowers, Herbs, Field Crops, Horticulture, Sheep, Poultry, Rabbits, Pigs, and Cows.

For the Senior Citizens Division (age 65 and up): Seniors may enter the same categories as the Adult Division.

In the Youth Contest, the categories are: Little Miss Pageant, Miss Chowan County Regional Fair Pageant, Essay Contest, three (3) Decorating Contests, Agriculture Contest, Coloring Contest, and the Cheer and Dance Contest.

To enter an exhibit or to learn more about how to enter, call 482-4057 or 482-5642 or send an e-mail to info@chowanfair.com.

Admission is $18 per person, which includes free parking, exhibits, all stage shows, midway entertainment and unlimited Midway rides (some specialty rides are extra). Children under age 2 are admitted free, as are those ages 65 and over (midway rides not included).

The Fairgrounds close at 11 p.m. each night but Saturday (12 midnight).