Leetown — Country music fans can’t wait to see recording artist Wade Hayes on stage at the Jefferson County Fair on Wednesday, August 24th at 7:30pm.
Hayes’ debut single “Old Enough to Know Better” reached number one on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles in 1994. Hayes continued to release albums throughout the 1990s, after which she founded the duo McHayes with Alan Jackson’s fiddler Mark McClung.
Hayes then joined Alabama’s lead singer Randy Owen’s backing band in the late 2000s. In 2011, he was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer.
Over the last few years, the singer-songwriter has taken a complicated journey, producing some of the strongest songs of her career. Having survived stage IV colon cancer, not just once, but twice, has given him a unique perspective on the fragility of life and the strength of the human spirit. He incorporates this perspective into his musical work and will bring it to the fair stage.
“We are delighted to welcome the talent of Wade Hayes to the 69th Annual Jefferson County Fair,” said Fair Manager Todd Wilt. “Enjoy a night that promises to be a great night.”
The Little Miss Jefferson County Fair begins every Saturday at 1:30pm and the Miss Jefferson County Fair contest begins that evening at 6:30pm. A new age group added to the pageant competition. The contest will conclude on Sunday at 6:30 pm and the winner of Junior Miss Jefferson County will be crowned.
In keeping with tradition, Jefferson County middle and high school bands perform throughout the first half of the fair week. On Mondays, Shepherdstown Middle School starts at 6pm, Wildwood Middle School Band plays at 6:45pm, and Jefferson High School’s Jazz His Band plays at 7:30pm.
Tuesdays kick off at 6pm with the Harpers Ferry Middle School Band, followed by the Charles Towne Middle School at 6:45pm and conclude at 7:30pm with the Washington High School Band.
In addition to Hayes’ performance, the fair stage will feature a musical performance by the Revolution Band beginning at 7:30 PM on Thursday nights. The band has been hailed as repeaters at the Jefferson County Fair.
Each musical performance throughout the week is included in the general admission price of your fair ticket.
All sorts of other entertainment options are available throughout the week for those looking for a change of pace from musical activities. The Burnout Contest will be held again on Sunday night at 7pm in the arena area. Bull riding is scheduled for 7:30 PM at the arena on Monday, and the popular demolition derby returns to the arena on Tuesday at 7:00 PM.
Tractors and truck pullers join in at various times throughout the week, and on Saturday, August 27, at 10am, Mark Dudlow and his horse, Eve’s Living History performance will return.
Nightly carnival rides are offered throughout the week, with all-night rides on Mondays and Wednesdays, and children’s afternoon prices on the final Saturday of the fair.
For a complete schedule of events, visit the Jefferson County Fairs Facebook page.