Although students are only a month into the new semester, many are already looking for alternative ways to defeat the disease that plagues them: boredom.
The 83rd Tennessee Valley Fair, held in Chilhowee Park, begins today and will provide over a week’s worth of entertainment.
“It offers a combination of education and recreation in a positive, fun, family-oriented atmosphere,” Judy Rone, director of public relations for the fair, said. “It’s also a showcase for the East Tennessee arts, crafts, domestic goods, horticulture products and livestock produced by adults and youth.”
This year both new events and old favorites will provide the crowd with plenty of “Oohs and Aaahs”.
Events, such as a baking contest, mad science show and battle of the bands, are enough to entertain anyone. If they don’t, the carnival rides, Native American village and traveling 7,000-gallon aquarium will, Rone said.
In its second year, the aquarium allows the audience to have hands-on experience with some of the more friendly fish. Periodically, divers will swim with a not so-friendly sea-dweller – a shark.
Heat up the stove and pull out the mixing bowl because fair-goers have the opportunity to compete in the Martha White Cornbread Challenge, a new event at this year’s fair. There is money and stardom in baking: cash prizes, along with a ribbon and apron, will be awarded to the top three cornbread creators.
The first place winner’s recipe will be submitted to the national competition, where the top prize is a trip for two to the National Cornbread Festival on April 20.
The Martha White contest is scheduled for Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. For complete contest rules, call 215-1470.
Taking a different approach to the field of science in a way even non-chemistry majors can understand is Mad Science’s “Don’t Try This at Home II: Newton’s Revenge.”
“Pruvitt and Crash (Mad Science’s professors) perform wacky experiments to investigate the principles of inertia, acceleration, action and reactions,” Rone said.
This daily show includes a ping-pong ball launcher and the “Marvelous Motion Machine” to demonstrate the fundamental laws of motion. Audience members will be invited to join in on the fun by taking part in the “Catapult Challenge” and the “Slingshot of Doom.”
Extreme Radio 94.3 will present “South East Export’s Battle of the Bands” on Sept. 8.
Earlier in the year, many bands submitted a three-song demo tape for the chance to appear on stage in the community entertainment tent. Ten bands were chosen to appear at the fair and will battle for the grand prize.
“One band will be chosen by a panel of major record label representatives and figures from the Knoxville area music scene to receive a package that includes opening for Local H at the fair on Sept. 12, musical equipment, studio recording time, a CD pressing and regular airplay on Extreme Radio,” said Dan Bozyk, public relations representative for Extreme Radio.
Another new attraction to this year’s fair is the South Eastern Indian Village Life exhibit. The handcrafted setting will feature a summer and a winter house as well as a cooking area and teepee. Visitors to the village will also experience dancers, drummers and storytellers.
Although the entertainment is free, admission into the fair for adults is $7, but as usual, discounts will be offered on several days. Students can receive $2 off admission with a student ID on Sept. 12. For those who wait ’til the bitter end to go to the fair, $1 will be taken off admission, rides, games and food items on Sept. 15.
For a complete list of events, visit the Tennessee Valley Fair’s Web site at www.tnvalleyfair.org.
