Introduction

Carter County Fair, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization which plans and conducts an annual fair event in Carter County in compliance with Kentucky Revised Statutes and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KRS 247.220 and 302 KAR 15:010).

Activities generally include but are not limited to: livestock shows and sales, agricultural and rural cultural exhibits, horse events, carnival attractions, live music performances and motor events. These endeavors further our purpose of overall advancements in youth education, local tourism, economic development, agriculture and rural cultural resources. All services are provided on a non-discriminatory basis.

The Organization

Since incorporating and restructuring in 1997, the activities conducted by Carter County Fair, Inc. have grown in attendance, scope and financial stability.

Our management team consists of a volunteer board of directors which includes the County Judge Executive, a representative of the Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Grayson Jaycees. In addition to those voting members, the fair utilizes the expertise and leadership of  an advisory panel that includes representatives from the Carter County extension service, local livestock association and Farm Bureau.

Work is divided among the board via an extensive committee system. Communication and progress is monitored through monthly scheduled meetings of the board, while committees schedule meetings and work dates at their members discretion. The group owns and maintains a fairgrounds facility with grandstands, portable bleachers, a livestock show barns, motorized event arena and an office trailer. Constuction of a semi-portable amphitheatre stage is planned for the 2008 summer season.

 

Services

The Carter County Fair provides a variety of services to the community beyond the scheduling and implementation of the annual fair event. In addition to the monthly meetings for information sharing with the community, the fair has partnered with other organizations to further enhance economic and recreational opportunity within Carter County.

The fairgrounds are available to lease for events and have been used by area organizations to host Bluegrass Festivals, Concerts,  Equipment auctions, agricultural field day events and picnics.

In 1999, the fair began co-sponsoring the Memorial Day Horse Show long associated with Grayson's Memory Days Celebration. The Carter County Summer Bash is a joint venture of the Grayson Area Chamber of Commerce and the Carter County Fair Board. This event, a large scale raffle, brought over 8,500 people to Grayson and was able to raise $230,000 for recreation and other community development projects in 2003.