What the tornado that struck Mountain Home in 1985 could not do, the coronavirus pandemic of 2020 has — cancel the Baxter County Fair. The annual event was set for the week of Sept. 15-19.
Fair Board President Glenn Priebe says in a meeting Tuesday evening, the board voted to cancel this year’s annual fair but continue its efforts to hold two events, the youth livestock show and the lawn mower races.Priebe, serving in his 28th year at the helm of the board, says plans for the two events the board hopes to hold must still be approved by the Arkansas Department of Health.
Priebe says, if the plans for the youth livestock show are approved, the event will only be for participants and their animals, instead of a public one. State premium money will still be available for the show. The event would be held on Sept. 17 and 18.If the plan for the lawn mower races is approved, the event will be held on Sept. 19.
Otherwise, Priebe says the board’s decision means that for the first time in the 40 years he has served as a member there will not be a pageant, baby show, truck pull or any of the other events that have made the Baxter County Fair one of the most successful in the state.
In a visit with KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot news, Priebe recalled the damage to the fairgrounds from the November 1985 tornado that struck Mountain Home.
He says the fairgrounds were “wiped out,” with the exception of the barn. The education building sustained about $30,000 in roof damages.
But under the leadership of then-board president Ossie Robertson, Priebe says the following September, Baxter County had its annual fair.
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