The threat of rain hasn’t dampened the spirits of organizers with the annual Richmond County Fair.

“So far everything is going great,” said Rina Marshall, fair manager and Lion’s Club member said. “The rain might impact some decisions to come, but most people come to have a good time anyway. It’s what it’s here for.”

The fair is set to start this afternoon.

This year marks the fair’s 52nd consecutive year and in spite of the weather, J & J Amusements has been assembling carnival rides and game booths in the rain.

“They’ll put it up in the rain and work all night if they have to,” said Tommy Thompson, Lion’s Club member.

Along with carnival rides and concession stands run by the Lion’s Club, vendors will bring their own concession booths to set-up on the grounds during the fair, according to Marshall.

The Exhibit Hall filled up its nine booths with agricultural and co-op members from the Richmond County area. Each booth provides informational displays to fair-goers.

“We’re trying to be more conscious of reaching more people,” said Tami Thomas of the Farm Service Agency.

Thomas and fellow FSA employee, Amy Yaklyn, were busy decorating their booth on Monday afternoon in hopes to help elevate interest for the organization, which advocates on behalf of farmers. This was the first time in a few years the FSA has set-up an exhibit at the fair, according to Thomas.

Also in the exhibit hall, community crafts, art, canned goods and other items will be displayed for judging during the fair’s festivities.

“We always have a good variety of things on display,” said Cassidy Williamson, Lions Club member.

Anyone can bring in their own products, to the fair and enter them in a contest which are to be evaluated by out-of-county judges, according to Williamson.

“We’re really excited, especially when the rain lets up,” Williamson said.

There are roughly 13 to 14 booths offering local crafts, information, products and food, Marshall said.

Coinciding with ride preparation and readying food in the concession stands, Pee Dee Baptist is providing food for carnival employees, as well as a hygiene packages for those displaced from their homes while on the road.

The fair isn’t all rides and food, according to Marshall, the Lion’s Club have brought live entertainment back to the county fair after being absent for a couple years.

Sam West and family will present a shag program on the main stage Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. West is a Hamlet native and is a nine-time National Shag Dance Champion.

Friday night is gospel night from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. on the stage and will feature Heavenly Voices, Buddy Caulder, Family Faith and Friends and William Coble Jr.

On Saturday the Saddle Creek Band will take the stage at 8 p.m. and perform country and western music until 11 p.m.

The fair begins Tuesday night beginning at 6 p.m. and ending around 10 p.m. Tuesday and 6 until 10 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. On Saturday the fair will open at noon and end about 10 p.m.

Tickets are $3 for six and up and children five and under get in free. The fairgrounds are located at the intersection of Highway 38 and Highway 74 in Hamlet.

Proceeds from the fair enable the Hamlet Lions to fund many of their projects on the local, state, national, and world levels.

For more information on the fair, contact the Lions Club at 582-4586.