County fair is growing again in 2010 and gates open tonight

The Manatee County Fair is growing again in 2010 and folks stopping in for the opening tonight are going to notice big changes.

It’s the 94th annual county fair and its director, Daniel West, said the theme slogan to the fair says it all for music, crafts, food, agriculture, and shows.

Gloriana performs Jan. 15 at 8 p.m. at the Manatee County Fair. Seats are free with an admission ticket, but are first come, first serve.

”Our theme tells it all,“ he said. ”'Growing again in 2010' is what we are telling people, and that has everything to do with a brand-new 18,000-square-foot exhibit hall and multipurpose building. When they walk in that front gate they are going to be awe!“

West said all the older, smaller buildings were torn down last year to make way for their premiere place where concerts, shows, and arts and crafts will be presented.

But what’s a fair without a tune or two -- and did you know all the well-known named performers coming out this year?

”We’ve got five really wonderful concerts during the fair,“ West said. ”They are all in the country music genre and up-and-coming stars.“

Gloriana is the first big-name performance on Jan. 15 at 8 p.m. Yesterday, on Jan. 13, the group was interviewed on "The Ellen Degeneres Show."

This four-part harmonic group of singers will give an ”electric“ performance, as singers Tom Gossin, Mike Gossin, Rachel Reinert and Cheyenne Kimball join their musical talents for a fresh take on country music.

The Bellamy Brothers -- John Anderson, Rhonda Vincent and Jake Owen -- are all to come as the week continues at the fairgrounds, and The Bradenton Times will feature each performance in advance so you can join the packed house of music lovers from all over Manatee County.

”All the entertainment and anything presented on the fairgrounds is free with gate admission,“ West said. ”People can go see anything with no additional tickets and all of the seating is first come, first serve.“

But then there’s the food – fair food galore.

The Grandpa Cratchet Show is sure to entertain folks of all ages, and he'll be performing at the fair tonight.

”Food, oh man, we have fabulous fair food here,“ he said.

There’ll be elephant ears, funnel cakes, candy coated apples, barbecue everything, Polish sausage and anything people can imagine eating at a fair, and a lot of the local service groups serve the best-of-the-best food in Manatee County at the fair and have done so for years.

”They all serve different menus,“ he said. ”The Kiwanis Club has served corn dogs all of my life at the fair and I’m 40 years old.“

Then there’s a 15,000-square-foot building on the fairgrounds, completely devoted to arts and crafts.

Tonight, they’ll name the grand champion of all pigs at the Swine Show at 6 p.m., and three hours later the night the Robinson’s Pig Paddling Porkers will be in full effect.

Don’t miss the Grandpa Cratchet Show. This grandpop’s a puppet, but he’s still got a lot to say and sing.

Just plan on a new act to entertain you at the fair every 30 minutes this evening and West knows it’s going to be worth everyone’s time to come out and play at the fair, especially with the discounts offered on opening night.

”Well, we always have a good night on the first night,“ he said. ”It’ll be a great turnout. We’ve got Dennis Lee performing and he is a very good and a very well-received number.“

Erica Newport is a daily reporter for The Bradenton Times. She covers art, culture and community. If you have a story that might interest Erica, please e-mail her using erica.newport@thebradentontimes.com address.  She also takes your questions related to our weekly theme days and provides advice and opinions for our readers. Please use this e-mail address for Ask Erica: ask.erica@thebradentontimes.com.