Mason-Dixon Fair starts next week

If you're looking for a family-friendly event in the coming weeks, head north toward the Mason-Dixon line.

The 13th Annual Mason-Dixon Fair at the Mason-Dixon Fairgrounds is from July 11 through 16, and according to board member Sharon Kahl, is a "hometown festival."

Midway gates open at 5 p.m. and the fair lasts until 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with a variety of events each night, including the Little Miss Mason and Mr. Dixon children's contest.

"They always draw a lot of attention," Kahl said, "and the antique tractor pulls, they usually draw a pretty good crowd."

Admission is $4 Monday through Thursday, $6 on Friday and Saturday and children 6 and younger are free. Admission is free Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the midway opening at 11 a.m.

Family nights are also Monday through Thursday nights and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., when, in addition to general admission, $16 gets visitors a pass for all rides.

Each night features a special event in addition to rides and vendors, Kahl said. Monday night are the Mason-Dixon Dirt Drags, Tuesday is the Tuff Trucks night, along with Karaoke Idol, and Wednesday and Thursday feature the antique tractor pulls.

The pick-up truck pulls are on Friday this year and the fair will also open early from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Patriotic Salute Day, an event for veterans and seniors. When the park reopens at 5 p.m. Friday, too, all veterans and active military have free admission with an ID.

Usually, Kahl said, they can expect 20,000 visitors per night during the week and 30,000 on the weekend.

"I think a lot of it is the atmosphere," she said, adding they try to include contests for all ages.

Of the many contests throughout the week, there is the Fair Princess contest, Milk Chugging Contest, Watermelon Eating contest, a Dairy Goat Milking contest and more.

She also said they try to keep the prices "as reasonable as possible" to make sure families can afford to visit.

Along the way, Kahl said she hopes visitors will gain more insight and appreciation for the local farming industry. There are "so many misconceptions" about farming, she said.

"People are so removed from farms," she added.

The Mason-Dixon Fair, she emphasized, would give them a chance to "just relax, have fun [and] go out and learn about agriculture."