By Jon Johnson
GRAHAM COUNTY – The Graham County Fair kicks off Thursday night with local favorite “Zaylie Windsor Band”.
Zaylie will take the stage Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and perform hits for an hour-and-a-half-long show. The fairgrounds and exhibits open at 5 p.m. Other entertainment includes comedy stunt juggling with James Reid. Closing out the opening night’s music will be 80s cover band “Kids in America” with a two-hour long show.
Music acts on Friday include “Notes From Neptune”, which blends classical guitar and jazz saxophone, “Take Cover”, which plays hits from the 60s – 90s and beyond, and the evening is headlined by “AZ/DZ”, the ultimate AC/DC cover band.
Saturday is huge for entertainment as well, however, with Zaylie Windsor Band retuning for an afternoon set from 1 – 3:30 p.m.; “Radio Ready”, a Southern California dance band rocking from 5 – 8 p.m., and “One Drop Redemption” a Bob Marley & The Wailers tribute band closes out the fair’s entertainment Saturday night from 8:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Exhibits are open Thursday, 5 – 10 p.m., Friday, 12 – 10 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., and Sunday, 12 – 5 p.m.
Carnival rides start Thursday, 6 – 11 p.m., and run Friday and Saturday, 1 – 11 p.m., and Sunday, 12 – 5 p.m.
The 98th annual Graham County Fair Parade “Pumpkins, Pies, and Autumn Skies” will kick off from the Graham County Courthouse on Friday, Oct. 11, starting at 10 a.m. The parade will travel east down Main Street and then turn south on 2nd Avenue before returning west on 7th Street.
The Graham County Fair Parade 2024 Grand Marshall is Jojo Schroder, co-founder of Safford’s Thriftee market. The parade is expected to include colorful floats, decorated vehicles, and marching bands.
Along with several games and events at the fair, this year will also feature the annual 5K Desert Race on Saturday, Oct. 12, starting at 8 a.m. a disc golf tournament also starting at 8 a.m., and an adult corn hole tournament starting at 5 p.m.
General admission to the fair is $2 for children 5 – 10, $6 for those 11 – 64, and $5 for seniors 65 years old or older. Unlimited ride wristbands to unlock unlimited rides at select times can be purchased for $27.99. Wristbands can be purchased for $30 at the event.
The wristbands are valid for use on either Thursday, from 6 – 9 p..m., and Saturday and Sunday, from 1 – 4 p.m. Wristbands are good for one day only and additional wristbands must be purchased for additional days’ use.
For more information on the 2024 Graham County Fair click here.
