After almost a week of great fair fun the 2025 season is getting ready to start winding down – but that’s not before a packed schedule heads our way for today and tomorrow. It’s Grayson Tourism Night at the Carter County Fair today, and that can mean only one thing: Demo Derby Night. With $15 admission covering carnival rides, the fairgrounds will be buzzing from start to finish. The petting zoo runs 5:30 to 9, the Exhibit Hall welcomes visitors from 6 to 8, and the carnival opens at 6 pm.
FTC Pro Wrestling returns to the ring at 7, while live paint demonstrations from Haley Bays and Chris Casteel offer a splash of creativity for all ages. And then… it’s the main event. At 8 pm, the I-64 Motorplex Demolition Derby slams into the Motor Arena. It’s bumper-to-bumper mayhem you won’t want to miss.
Saddle up on Saturday for a rip-roaring good time on the final night of the Carter County Fair — it’s Carter County Tourism Rodeo Night, and we’re going out with a bang. Start the morning by picking up any 4-H or Open Class Exhibit entries between 10 am and noon at the Exhibit Trailer.
Then, the evening fun begins with $15 admission, including carnival rides from 6 pm onward. The petting zoo is open from 5:30 to 9 pm, so bring the kiddos early.
At 7 pm, the James Family Outfitters Best Dressed Cowboy & Cowgirl Contest takes the stage. Then, at 8, the main event kicks off: The King Brothers “Bulls & Barrels” Rodeo presented by Carter County Tourism. It’s the wildest show in town and the perfect way to cap off an incredible fair week.
If you haven’t had the chance to get out and enjoy the Fair quite yet throughout the week, then make sure you don’t miss this great Friday and Saturday lineup.
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Our local Hike and Learn series is inviting you to embrace the great outdoors with two upcoming events. If you’re looking to stretch your legs and your mind then the Carter County Extension Office invites you to “Hike & Learn,” a guided outdoor series where every step is an adventure, and every trail tells a story.
Two upcoming hikes offer a chance to escape the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary: first up at Laurel Gorge on Thursday, August 22nd at 1 PM. Anyone interested in participating is asked to meet at the Laurel Gorge Welcome Center and explore approximately 2 miles of scenic trails through the gorge. This hike is rated moderate in difficulty, making it a great option for those looking for a little challenge and a lot of beauty.
Up next will be a walk through the Grayson Sports Park scheduled for Wednesday, September 25th at 1 PM. This Mindfulness Walk will be led by FCS Agent Whitney Morrow and focuses on slowing down, breathing deeply, and appreciating the peace of the outdoors. This hike is rated easy and is perfect for participants of all ages.
Participants are asked to wear closed-toe shoes and bring their own snacks and drinks. Please note: Hikes will not be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
For more details, contact the Extension Office at (606) 474-6686, visit carter.ca.uky.edu/anr, or check them out on Facebook at @CarterCoKYAg.
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The Grayson Tourism Commission has released a statement asking anyone who has items stored in the Blue Goose building – including Christmas trees – will need to start making arrangements to have the items removed before the date of Monday, August 11th. The process to begin the demolition of the building is underway, and officials want to make sure that everyone has adequate time to retrieve their items.
On top of this, it was also asked that anyone in possession of a key to the Blue Goose please drop it off inside of the city building at your earliest convenience. Once again the deadline date to pick up any items inside the building is set for Monday, August 11th.
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Today marks the final opportunity this week for residents in Eastern Carter County to take advantage of the county-wide clean-up campaign, as dumpsters will be available at the Carter County Maintenance Garage in Grayson with the closing time adjusted to 12:30 p.m. due to this week’s excessive heat. The Solid Waste Department reminds all participants that dumpster access has now returned to its regular three-day weekly schedule and urges the public to follow the updated disposal guidelines.
A number of items will not be accepted, including refrigerators, deep freezers, televisions, household garbage, paint, tires, and batteries. In addition, all items must be either bagged or boxed — loose trash will not be collected.
The Carter County Clean-Up campaign operates on a rotating schedule, providing disposal opportunities for both the eastern and western ends of the county. After today’s event, dumpsters will return to the maintenance garage along US 60 in Olive Hill for August 13th through the 15th.
This valuable community service is made possible by the Carter County Solid Waste Department, who continue to support these efforts to keep our neighborhoods clean, safe, and beautiful.
Let’s all do our part to keep Carter County looking its best!