Student Participation For 2025 Fair Reached All-Time High

Members of the ECHS FFA toss candy to attendees of the 2025 Fair Day Parade.

Peytin Manor, story and photos:
The Edmonson County Lions Club once again held this year's Edmonson County Fair where the theme for festivities was “Celebrating Edmonson County." This school year will mark the fiftieth anniversary of the 1976 Wildcats state championship and 2025 commemorates Edmonson County’s two-hundredth bicentennial birthday.

Participation from Edmonson County students during this year's fair reached an all-time high, including parade, exhibit, and volunteer activities.

On Friday, September 5th, the county fair day parade packed the streets of Brownsville. Many student-led organizations and sports teams showed their EC pride as they rode through town. Each of these floats were decorated by students with the assistance of other community members.

After the parade, the ECHS marching band and boosters proudly volunteered to assist the Edmonson County Lions Club with parking at the fairgrounds. Without the help of the band and boosters, parking on fair day would have seemed impossible. The Edmonson County Wildcat baseball team and others also helped with parking during the fair.

Teresa Lopez is a member of the ECHS band; she champions the band parents for their help all season long, “Shout out to band parents that are always there for us at competition, it means so much and we all thank them for it!”

Each of the following schools submitted the best artwork into the fair “Celebrating Edmonson County:" Kyrock Elementary, South Edmonson Elementary, ECMS, and 5/6 Center. Teachers from each of these schools taught lessons on the county’s history and attractions. Additionally, both Sarah’s Playschool and Edmonson County Head Start submitted colored pages, made by the attending children; they created artwork prompted by “teaching our future leaders."

Edmonson County FFA submitted numerous entries into the county fair. Students entered floral arrangements, eggs, traditional and non-traditional crops, animal structures and designs as well as canned goods.

Edmonson County 4-H also had multiple entries represented from students of all ages. Cloverbuds entered artwork, photography, canned goods, floral arrangements, baked goods, and so much more!

Student exhibit entries at the 2025 Edmonson County Lions Club Fair.

Student exhibit entries at the 2025 Edmonson County Lions Club Fair.

Student exhibit entries at the 2025 Edmonson County Lions Club Fair.

On Friday, September 5th, fair day ended with spurs and cowboys as crowds buckled in for the rodeo. Kinsley Meredith, ECHS sophomore and active member of Edmonson county FFA and 4H, raced barrels and performs the breakaway. Garret Mayse, virtual ECHS junior, competed in the novice bulls division, placing first.

On Saturday, September 6th, many students from Edmonson county competed at the annual demolition derby. In the power wheel division, Owen Ritter, Ian Vincent, and Leo Woodcock competed against fourteen others from all across Kentucky and Indiana. In the ages nine to sixteen division, three locals–Bentley Blanton, Brantley Woodcock, and James Hopkins– competed against twelve other racers. 

Student exhibit entries at the 2025 Edmonson County Lions Club Fair.

Student exhibit entries at the 2025 Edmonson County Lions Club Fair.

Student exhibit entries at the 2025 Edmonson County Lions Club Fair.

Student exhibit entries at the 2025 Edmonson County Lions Club Fair.

Two junior firefighters for the Chalybeate Volunteer Fire Department helped monitor the demolition derby for crashes, fires, and injuries. Keylee Jurisich and Brayden Curtis have undergone rigorous training in safety and fire protocol to prepare for the derby. 

From firefighting to agriculture pursuits and derby participation, our students have gained real-world, career readiness opportunities through the fair. The county fair is an opportunity for multi-generational involvement which gives all of our students in Edmonson county an opportunity to shine as bright as the fair lights.