Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald: The Graham County Fair swings into action this Thursday – Sunday.
Staff Reports
SAFFORD – With an eclectic group of musicians, including “Huckleberry Road” and our own local connection with “The Cole Trains”, the entertainment at this year’s Graham County Fair is sure to please.
The Graham County Fair will open Thursday night, Oct. 5, from 5 – 11 p.m., starting with animal and exhibition judging. The fairgrounds are located just south of Safford at 527 E. Armory Rd.
It is set to be a jam-packed weekend at the fairgrounds and the fun starts early on Thursday with Skip Banks performing his comedy show at 5:30 p.m. followed by interactive wild animal shows by Wildman Phil. The “Clean Cut Band” will perform its funky grooves on the Main Stage before “The Outlaw Mariachi” group from Los Angeles closes the entertainment for the night. During the course of the evening, the midway will be running with rides from 6 – 11 p.m.
Festivities continue Friday morning at 10 with the Graham County Fair Parade down Main Street in Safford.
This year’s parade theme is “Remembering our past while looking into our future” with legendary coach Gerald Hekekia and his wife, Sandra, leading the parade as the grand marshals.
The fairgrounds open at noon and the midway at 1 p.m. Skip Banks will be back for some shows and also featured on the main stage will be local groups, including shows by the Safford Dance Academy, Safford Karate, and Safford Cheer.
The group “Take Cover!” opens the musical selection for the day with the volume of hits they play from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and beyond. Bo Titla, of San Carlos, will take you on a journey with his songwriting, and the “Clean Cut Band” returns to close out the night.
After more comedy by Skip Banks and animal shows by Wildman Phil, on Saturday fair attendees are blessed to have two sets from the popular local group “Happy and the Ghosts” fronted by Zaylie Windsor.
Our own “The Cole Trains” from Safford will bless the audience with its blend of country rock from 6:15 to 8 p.m. on the Main Stage and hopefully not blow the doors too far off for “Huckleberry Road” to follow and close out the fair’s entertainment.
Carnival rides will continue on Sunday from 12 – 5 p.m. Additionally, there will also be various activities for the fair this weekend, including a 5K run, corn hole, diaper derby, disc golf tournament, frozen T-shirt contest, sack race, talent competition, three-legged race, and window decorating contest. Click here to see more information on those events.
Admission to the fair is $6 per day for those 11 and older and $5 for seniors 65 and older. Rides take between three and six tickets each but unlimited wristbands are on sale for $27 in advance or $30 at the site. Wristband ride hours are Thursday, 6-9 p.m., Friday, 1-4 p.m. (Kiddies Day $15 band onsite), Saturday, 1-4 p.m., and Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Wristbands are only good for the day they are purchased.
