The wait is finally over. Carter County Fair Week 2026 gets underway today, officially kicking off what has become the capstone event of the summer and one of the last big opportunities for families to get out and enjoy some fun together before the school bell rings.
Today is Kee’s Farm Services Day at the Fair and will put the spotlight on the young people and animals taking part in this year’s Livestock Exhibition. Fair activities begin at the fairgrounds with animal weigh-ins starting at 8 a.m. at the Livestock Barn. The first show of the day will feature swine at 9 a.m., followed by the goat show at 11 a.m.
After a break, the livestock action continues in the afternoon, with lambs weighing in at 1 p.m. and showing at 2 p.m., followed by beef weigh-in at 3 p.m. and the beef show at 4 p.m. Fun shows will also be held following each species, time permitting.
This evening will bring another important part of the livestock program. Auction registration begins at 6 p.m., with the auction getting underway at 7 p.m. A Buyers Appreciation Dinner will also be held at 6 p.m. Admission to today’s events is five dollars, while livestock exhibitors will be admitted free.
As a reminder, fair event times are approximate and outdoor activities may be affected by weather, with no refunds for rainouts. And for the safety and comfort of everyone attending, pets are not permitted on the fairgrounds. Only trained service dogs assisting individuals with disabilities are allowed.
One important reminder for anyone planning to head out to the fair on Monday: the carnival rides will not be open yet. Monday’s schedule is focused on the livestock exhibitions and other fair activities, so families looking forward to the rides will need to wait until later in the week. The carnival will open with the fair’s scheduled ride days later in the week, so be sure to check each day’s fair schedule before making your plans.
So come out today and help us kick off Carter County Fair Week 2026 by supporting our livestock exhibitors and enjoying the first full day of one of Carter County’s favorite summer traditions.
==================
The first day of school is just around the corner, and for some Carter County families, this year marks an especially exciting milestone.
Carter County Schools will hold Preschool Registration today from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at each of the county’s elementary schools. Parents are asked to register their child at the school they will be attending this fall. To be eligible, children must be 4 years old by August 1st, or 3 years old with a documented disability or developmental delay.
Parents should bring several important documents with them, including the child’s original birth certificate, current immunization records, proof of income, proof of residence, a Kentucky physical form, and a Kentucky eye exam form.
Starting preschool is an exciting step for young learners, helping them build friendships, develop early reading and math skills, and prepare for a successful transition into kindergarten. School officials encourage eligible families to take advantage of this registration opportunity to help ensure children are ready for the upcoming school year.
Anyone with questions about preschool registration can contact Preschool Director Nellie Wright at 606-474-6696, extension 20-210.
As another school year quickly approaches, Carter County Schools says they look forward to welcoming the newest members of the school family this fall.
==================
As we continue our look into the upcoming school year, Heritage Elementary is giving students and families several opportunities to get ready, meet their teachers, and start the year on the right foot.
Heritage will hold its Kindergarten Camp today from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the school, located at 4863 South State Highway 1 in Grayson. The Kindergarten Camp is designed to give incoming kindergarten students a chance to get comfortable in their new school environment before the year gets underway. Students will have an opportunity to meet their teacher, make new friends, and learn, play and explore as they get a taste of what kindergarten will be like.
Then, on Thursday, August 13th, Heritage Elementary will welcome all students and their families for an Open House from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m.
The Open House is a chance to meet your child’s teacher, get important information about the upcoming school year, and become familiar with the school before classes begin. It’s also a great opportunity for students to reconnect with friends and start getting into the back-to-school mindset.
For families with children entering kindergarten, remember that the Kindergarten Camp is Monday, August 10th, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. And for all Heritage Elementary students, the Open House is Thursday, August 13th, from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m.
Heritage Elementary is looking forward to welcoming students and families back and getting the new school year off to a great start