81st annual Tippah County Fair set for July 31 through Aug. 8

RIPLEY, Miss. — The 81st annual Tippah County Fair and Livestock Show will return July 31 through Aug. 8, offering carnival rides, livestock competitions, pageants, wrestling, rodeo performances and activities for the entire family.

The fair will begin Friday, July 31, with gates opening at 4 p.m. The Fairest of the Fair pageant for girls ages 7 to 21 will begin at 6 p.m. in the Program Hall, followed by EPW Wrestling at 7:30 p.m. in the outdoor arena.

Activities will continue Saturday, Aug. 1, with registration of exhibits from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. The Cary Childs Memorial Cattle Show is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Tippah County Coliseum, followed by official judging of exhibits at 3 p.m.

Several events will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, including the open pony pull, open horse show, Fairest of the Fair pageant for girls ages 6 to 9 and the El Gallo Show.

Admission will be free Monday, Aug. 3, through Wednesday, Aug. 5.

Monday’s schedule includes poultry exhibit registration from 4 to 6 p.m., an open junior archery shoot at 7 p.m. in the coliseum and a cornhole tournament at 7 p.m. in the Program Hall.

A pet show will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the North Barn. Faith at the Fair will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the outdoor arena.

Thursday, Aug. 6, will be Youth Night. Gates will open at 4 p.m., followed by greased-pole registration at 5 p.m. and the contest at 5:30 p.m. The evening will also feature a student and teacher raffle, cheer showcase and Barnyard Scramble.

The fair will continue Friday, Aug. 7, with gates opening at 4 p.m. A talent contest will begin at 7 p.m. in the Program Hall, followed by a rodeo at 8 p.m. in the outdoor arena.

The final day of the fair will be Saturday, Aug. 8. Exhibits may be picked up from the Industrial Building between 9 and 10 a.m.

The Open Junior Lamb and Goat Show will begin at 11 a.m., followed by the Open Junior Dairy Cattle Show at 1 p.m. A bluegrass and gospel show will begin at 5 p.m., with open pony pulling at 6 p.m. and the closing rodeo at 8 p.m.

General admission will be $8 per person July 31, Aug. 1 and Aug. 8. Admission on Thursday, Aug. 6, will be $5 per person.

Admission on Friday, Aug. 7, will be $8 per person, $25 per carload or $40 per vanload. Ride-all-you-want packages will also be available on select days, ranging from $15 to $25.

Fair admission provides access to the scheduled events. Organizers are inviting residents to attend and help continue the longtime tradition of the Tippah County Fair.