From Staff Reports 

WAYNESVILLE — The 2021 Haywood County Fair, which will be held Aug. 26-29, “is shaping up to be the greatest fair ever,” according to an event promotion.

The fair will be held at the Smoky Mountain Event Center complex at 758 Crabtree Road in Waynesville.

The daily event times are as follow:

• Aug. 26 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

• Aug. 27 from 5 p.m to 10 p.m.

• Aug. 28 from 9 a.m to 10 p.m.

• Aug. 29 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“The Haywood County Fair brings families together to celebrate our agricultural traditions by participating in or just enjoying the livestock competitions, handcrafted and homemade ware, music, dance and a variety of entertaining shows, fun games rides and great food,” an event promotion noted.

“Come enjoy the reimagined Haywood County Fair August 26-29, 2021. There will be a ton of new events and attractions. Live concerts, pig races, cowboy circus, petting zoo, truck pull, tractor pull, rodeo and more!!!”

Among the fair’s many highlights will be a concert featuring rising country music singer-songerwriter Ricky Gunter at 7 p.m. Aug. 28. Admission to the show is free with admission paid to the fair.

“Ricky Gunter will light up the Great Smokies Arena (on) Saturday night with his soulful, driving country,” an event promotion stated. “Gunter’s rich vocals — with just the right dollop of country twang — are layered with feel-good melodies, energetic riffs and moving lyrics.

“Gunter’s new album ‘Ain’t Enough Blacktop’ is everything a country album should be, hitting the highs and lows of country life, love and nostalgia.

“Gunter is a mountain boy who grew up in the nearby small town of Marshall and is now a rising star in the country music scene — a dream he’s been chasing since he was a boy.”

Meanwhile, Gunter said, “I couldn’t be any more blessed than I am to have the followers and fans that support me along this journey. The blessings that I have received to be able to do what I love are far and beyond what I ever imagined.”

Daily tickets available at the gate are $8 per adult, $6 per child ages 6-12 and free for those ages 5 and under.