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The annual Kiwanis Covington County Fair is back for its 60th year running this year from Monday, Oct. 18 through Sunday, Oct. 24.

The fair will open at 6 p.m. each weeknight, 3 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. Sunday. The fair closes at 10 p.m. on weeknights and between 11 and midnight on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, the fair closes at 6 p.m. There is an admission cost of $5 with unlimited ride tickets set for $20 each day.

On Saturday, admission will be granted with a donation of a non-perishable food item until 5 p.m. After the first two hours, admission will be $5. Admission is free on Sunday.

Kiwanis member Don Cotton said the Kiwanis Club begins planning for the next fair as soon as the current one is over.

“We make notes of things and ways we can improve from year to year. Even though this is the 60th fair, we always find ways to improve. The COVID crisis offered its own challenges last year, and we made changes to observe social distancing.”

Cotton said the club puts a lot of time and effort into the annual fair. “The Kiwanis Club of Andalusia is the driving force with financial and labor expenses. We have a club of 81 members, and they all play a role,” he said.

New to the fair this year are live performances in the Covington Center Arena and a corn hole tournament.

“This is different because, in the past, we held them on the inside stage of the Kiwanis Building. The arena offers room to spread out again observing precautions concerning COVID concerns. The corn hole tournament is organized by Holeshot, an ACL affiliate with a total payout purse of $5,000.”

The entertainment for Friday begins at 6 p.m. with 55 South Band. The cost is $5 for a concert armband. Burning Bush Family Band will provide the entertainment beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

The corn hole tournament games start at 10 a.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.

Cotton said the Kiwanis Club has had a budget and goal for the past several years of $40,000. “All the proceeds we make are donated to area programs that benefit children.  We also offer a total of $6,000 to county senior students that plan to attend LBW through the Harry Hinson LBW Scholarship Fund.”